U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in a national address regarding the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, at the White House in Washington D.C., the United States, on Feb. 15, 2018. Donald Trump said here on Thursday that he is making plan to visit shooting scene in Parkland, Florida. (Xinhua/Ting Shen)
U.S. President Donald Trump stressed Thursday making schools more secured and tackling mental health in the wake of a mass shooting at a Florida high school with 17 fatalities, as it has sparked debates on gun control in the country long plagued by gun violence.
SAFER CAMPUS
"No student, no teacher should be in danger in an American school," Trump said during a national address from the White House. "No parent should ever have to fear for their sons and daughters when they kiss them goodbye in the morning."
The president said he planned to visit the shooting scene in Parkland, Florida, which is now "in shock, in pain", to meet with families and local officials and to continue coordinating the federal response.
"Later this month, I will be meeting with the nation's governors and attorney generals, where making our schools and our children safer will be our top priority," Trump said.
"It is not enough to simply take actions that make us feel like we are making a difference," he noted. "We must actually make that difference."
The shooting took place around 2:30 p.m. (0730 GMT) Wednesday when students were being dismissed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the city of Parkland in Broward County, just north of Miami on the state's southeastern tip.
It was the 18th school shooting in the country this year, according to gun control group Everytown for Gun Safety. Besides the 17 killings, at least 14 people were badly wounded in the incident.
Florida Governor Rick Scott said Thursday that he will discuss with state leaders ways to make sure that parents know their children will be safe at school.
