Parkland community to Congress: ‘We’re not going anywhere’

WASHINGTON – Fred Guttenberg refused to sit during a Senate Democratic hearing this afternoon on gun violence.

It's not time to feel comfortable, he explained, or be polite.

"We're not going anywhere," said Guttenberg, whose daughter, Jaime, was killed in the Parkland school shooting.

"This is the time."

"I have dedicated the rest of my life to fighting for the cause of gun safety. I will not stop. No other parent should ever go through what my family and 16 other families are going through," Guttenberg said.

"What is unfathomable is how this is not unique to us. This had become something that was becoming way too common. This time, the gun rights crowd messed with the wrong community, the wrong kids, and the wrong dad."

Guttenberg and others made an appeal for stronger action on guns than the proposals before the House and Senate.

Democrats held the hearing because, they said, Republican leaders have not shown interest in the voices of school shootings. Representatives from Parkland and other tragedies were present.

"We're all bound by these tragedies," said Sen. Bill Nelson, who introduced Parkland student David Hogg and said despite being targeted by an "ugly conspiracy" the 17-year-old continues to speak out.

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