Stoneman

The grief and mourning continue for the 17 students and staff killed on the afternoon of Feb. 14 during a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. But something else is happening among the anguish of the interrupted lives of the victims and survivors. Out of the agony, activism has emerged and students from across South Florida are speaking out together asking for stricter gun controls. Here's a list of grief counseling resources available for the community.

Major Florida Republican Donor Al Hoffman Jr Issues Ultimatum On Assault Weapons

WLRN Public Media

Published February 27, 2018 at 7:18 AM EST

As a veteran and West Point graduate, retired Florida real estate developer Al Hoffman Jr. says he knows what military-style weapons like the AR-15 can do.

“They're still designed to kill people,” said Hoffman, of North Palm Beach. “I don't care what anybody says, that's what they're for.”

Hoffman served as finance chair for the Republican National Committee and co-chair of both George W. Bush campaigns. Now, as a private citizen and major Republican donor, he plans to put his influence to use to ban assault weapons.

Hoffman said he will no longer support candidates who don’t support what he calls ‘sensible gun legislation.’

And he is urging his fellow Florida Republican donors to follow suit.

“I'm going to mail out a plea to every single registered voter in the state of Florida, asking them to withhold their money until they can get a pledge from their candidate to support the assault weapons ban,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman hopes the donors’ pressure can ultimately move the National Rifle Association to support an assault weapons ban.