Parkland students grade politicians on their gun views

Wanting to boost safety, Parkland students have gotten thousands of people to pledge they’re not supporting pro-gun politicians. And they’re hoping to influence the outcome of this year’s elections.

Adam Buchwald, 16, and his friend, Zach Hibshman, 17, are rising seniors at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High, where a gunman killed 17 on Feb. 14.

Three months ago, they started Parents Promise to Kids, a movement to get semi-automatic rifles — the weapons used in school shootings — off store shelves. They’re urging adults, especially parents, to sign a contract agreeing not to support pro-gun politicians. And they’ve recently released their own grades, rating politicians on where they stand on gun laws.

The grades are meant to counter rankings released by the National Rifle Association. (When contacted, an NRA spokeswoman didn’t comment.)

Throngs of people supporting Parents Promise to Kids have submitted photos of themselves, vowing to cast ballots for “ethical