Students Emotional at Florida Capitol as Lawmakers Refuse to Debate Assault Weapons Ban
Florida House members in Tallahassee declined to take up gun legislation as Stoneman Douglas students in the gallery looked on.
Dozens of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School students arrived to Florida's capital on Tuesday with one goal in mind: Change the state's gun laws.
But when lawmakers in the statehouse declined to take up any gun legislation, the already raw emotion took an intense turn in the gallery of teenagers whose worlds were turned upside down barely a week earlier.
Among the most memorable moments from inside the capitol building in Tallahassee came when Stoneman Douglas student Sheryl Acquaroli, 16, wept after the vote.
"Today was draining and frustrating but it was also amazing at the same time," the teen tweeted along with a photo she took with Democratic member of the Florida House of Representatives Carlos G. Smith, who sponsored the legislation. "So happy to have people like him on our side."
There were 71 nay votes to 36 yeas and 13 non-voting legislators. Smith, who represents Orlando, responded angrily following the vote.
"17 pp in Parkland were just murdered w/an AR-15, + the FL House just passed @RossSpano's HR 157 declaring PORN as a public heath (sic) risk. No, GUN VIOLENCE is a public health crisis + Spano blocked HB 219 banning assault weapons in his committee for 2 yrs," said Smith.
Many students were still en route to Tallahassee when the vote took place and on Wednesday still intended to meet with legislators.
Meanwhile, suspected shooter Nikolas Cruz has been charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder in the deaths of 14 students and three staff members who police say he killed on Valentine's Day.
Attorneys for Cruz have said the 19-year-old will agree to plead guilty if the death penalty is taken off the table.
RELATED STORIES
Trending on Inside Edition

NHL Star and His Brother Accused of Raping College Student in Lawsuit
Crime
Why Do More People Seem to Be Getting Sick This Flu Season?
Health
Tips for Leaving Creepy Crawlies at the Christmas Tree Farm
Offbeat
Alex Murdaugh Sentenced to 27 Years in Plea Deal After Admitting to 22 Financial Crimes
Crime
A Toy Story: How the Hess Truck Became a Holiday Staple and Conjures Up Childhood Nostalgia for Some
Offbeat
Riley Keough Gets $7.5M From Lisa Marie Trust, Pays Priscilla $2.35M to be Sole Trustee of Estate: Settlement
Entertainment