Thread by @almostjingo

🕊(1) We’ve heard a lot about nothing being done after #Parkland but the truth is quite a lot is being done. March 14, a month after the tragedy, Senate Judiciary held a hearing with @marcorubio @SenBillNelson as witnesses and here is what we learned #SeeSomethingSaySomething

(2) In his opening statements @ChuckGrassley noted that after Newtown he and @tedcruz had proposed legislation that would’ve helped prevent this but politics buried it, they’ve since reintroduced the bill along with two others one named after the school.
#SeeSomethingSaySomething

(3) Michael Carrol of Florida’s Department of Children and Families closed the Cruz case despite noting him mentally ill, he refused to testify as did @browardsheriff @ScottJIsrael #SeeSomethingSaySomething #Parkland

(4) The Acting director of the @ATFHQ testifies Cruz passed his background check and legally purchased the AR-15 along with 9 other guns. After #Parkland they initiated a new program called iTip to more effectively share tips received with the public and internally.

(5) Deputy Director of the @FBI David Bowdich admitted the absolute fault of both tips they received and explained how they were missed. In response they’ve doubled the agents that receive these tips. He added the mistakes were unforgivable and vowed they would change.

(6) Dr. Lina Alathari testified on behalf of @SecretService National Threat Assessment Center that as a result of the #Parkland tragedy two programs were initiated one to work with local law enforcement and another to strengthen the NTAC study in place. #SeeSomethingSaySomething

(7) Additionally we learned NTAC has been training schools and the program reduces not only tragedy but bullying. At the direction @realDonaldTrump they are working with @SecNielsen to form a soft target steering committee with @DHSgov #SeeSomethingSaySomething

(8) Michael Beckerman of the @InternetAssn explained the responsibility of online platforms to work with law enforcement while still respecting privacy. More importantly he drove home how vital #SeeSomethingSaySomething is for friends, family and concerned citizens.

(9) Ms. Katherine Posada a teacher from Stoneman Douglas described the harrowing day and expressed pride in the change students had brought about. She said it was about both mental health and gun safety and urged for age limits to AR-15 purchases.

(10) Ryan Petty the father of #AlainaPetty who lost her life that day read opened with a statement from the families urging all of us to build a common ground and thanking the community and first responders. #SeeSomethingSaySomething

(11) Then @rpetty read his own statement that every American should take note of. He said what happened at #Parkland would not divide us, he thanked @FLGovScott and said we don’t all have to agree on guns and we won’t but we can agree we want our children safe❤️

(12) “Think of school violence as a disease” because then not only would we treat it, we would prevent it. The solution he said is in our hearts, in making our families better. Mr. Petty hope is that together we can make a cultural change and that is up to each of us #Parkland

(13) Let’s not forget the names and faces of those lost at Parkland, they should be more familiar than anyone else. Thank you @rpetty for your courage and truth we’re listening, #AlainaPetty will not be forgotten. This IS the time to be different. 🕊❤️🌎#msdstrong

(14) Thank you @ChuckGrassley for all your work on this it is greatly appreciated. For full testimony and video please see link below #SeeSomethingSaySomething cc:
@CNN @MSNBC @ABC @CBSNews @FoxNews @maddow @TheFive @Morning_Joe
judiciary.senate.gov/meetings/see-s…

(15) PS- Had the Florida FBI reported Cruz it would have flagged his background check #justsaying