AS SCHOOLKIDS
Memorial to victims near school And anyone aged 18 or over could buy rifles like the AR-15 Cruz, 19, used to kill ex-classmates at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High on Valentine’s Day. The show was greeted with dismay by locals opposed to America’s culture of gun ownership. Susy Elaine Do Prado, from nearby Fort Lauderdale, said: “Families are still mourning and burying their loved ones while the gun show in Miami is happening as planned. It makes me sick.” Fellow resident Anthony Matthews said: “Business as usual, I guess it’s their way of mourning the loss of so many young people and teachers.” And as far away as New York, outraged Moira Tice said: “At 18 in Florida you can buy an assault weapon. Where are we headed with this?” The two-day exhibition, open from 9am-5pm yesterday and 10am5pm today, was hosted by a firm billing itself as “the largest gun show promoter in Florida”. It was expected to attract up to 12,000 gun enthusiasts. Meanwhile a similar show was also being staged at Fort Walton Beach, 600 miles away at the other end of the state. The organisers said: “We ask all of our attendees to be aware that they may interact with others who have concern about the timing of this event. “Please give all opinions respect and deference, particularly in these very troubled times.” Last week America was stunned when troubled loner Cruz stormed his former school while wearing a gasmask and carrying smoke grenades. Moving from room to room, he shot teenagers as young as 14 along with three adults before being captured. Yesterday it emerged brave school librarian Diana Haneski saved 55 lives by sheperding students and adults into a media room. Incredibly she was inspired by a friend whose quick-thinking actions saved 18 people during the Sandy Hook massacre in Connecticut in 2012. alan.selby@trinitymirror.com Bullets at show
Families are still mourning their loved ones... this show makes me feel sick SUSY DO PRADO REACTING TO GUNS AND AMMO EXHIBITION