On November 2021, the Department of Justice (DOJ) reached a settlement agreement with the parents and families of the victims of the Parkland shooting. The agreement includes a payment of $130 million to be distributed among the families and a commitment from the DOJ to improve the background check system for gun purchases.
The Parkland shooting, which took place on February 14, 2018, left 17 people dead and 17 others injured. The shooter, a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, was able to purchase the weapon used in the shooting despite a number of red flags in his background.
The settlement agreement is significant as it represents one of the largest settlements ever reached in a shooting case. It is also notable for the commitment made by the DOJ to address the gaps in the background check system.
Under the agreement, the DOJ has committed to reviewing and improving the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS), which is used to determine whether a prospective gun buyer is prohibited from owning a firearm. The review will include a comprehensive evaluation of the NICS system and its processes, as well as the development of recommendations for improvement.
The DOJ will also provide training and support to state and local law enforcement agencies to help them better identify and prevent individuals who are prohibited from owning firearms from obtaining them. This includes creating a new task force focused on investigating individuals who attempt to purchase firearms illegally.
The settlement agreement is a significant step in addressing the issue of gun violence in America. While it cannot bring back the victims of the Parkland shooting, it does provide some measure of justice for their families. More importantly, it represents a commitment by the DOJ to take concrete steps to prevent future tragedies.
The agreement is also a reminder of the importance of effective background checks in preventing gun violence. While background checks are not a panacea, they are an important tool in keeping guns out of the hands of those who should not have them. The improvements to the NICS system promised by the DOJ are a step in the right direction towards making background checks more effective.
In conclusion, the settlement agreement between the DOJ and the families of the Parkland shooting victims is a significant development in the ongoing fight against gun violence in America. It represents a commitment by the government to take concrete steps to prevent future tragedies and to provide some measure of justice to the families of those who have already been affected. Effective background checks are a critical component of this effort, and the improvements promised to the NICS system are a step in the right direction.