At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, the administration has required students use clear backpacks to prevent students from hiding firearms.
Some claim that the backpacks are necessary for protection, despite no proof that it is effective in preventing shootings. A tweeter went so far as to say regular backpacks endanger kids’ lives.
Nobody needs a military style assault backpack with high capacity compartments. By fighting against commonsense backpack reform you're endangering children's lives.
Why do you hate children?#ClearBackpacks Save Lives! pic.twitter.com/xLJDvGHfOA
— Alo Konsen (@OhioCoastie) April 2, 2018
Others criticize the students for comparing their school to a prison, while another wrote that it’s “civics 101,” meaning the school took their rights away just as the government would with guns.
The fact that these kids are comparing their school to prison, because of clear backpacks, only confirms how hypocritical, entitled & ignorant they are. It's okay to infringe on law abiding gun owners' rights, but God forbid anyone see a girl's tampons! #clearbackpacks
— Jenza Monster (@xManMadeMonster) April 2, 2018
Dear Parkland kids,
You demanded something be done. So government (your school) did what government always does: takes rights away from innocent people.
Civics 101.
Now you understand why pro-2A people fight so hard against bans and regulations.#clearbackpacks
— Lone Ranger Danger Zone (@mecantyping) April 2, 2018
On the contrary, students and gun control supporters have a lot to say. @Montrezniles stated the price-tag on the backpacks represent each student’s “worth” to the state government and Marco Rubio, who has received millions in NRA funding.
The "$1.05" price tags on their backpacks, is the amount of money each of Florida's approximately 2.6 million students "worth" to Florida.
Senator Marco Rubio, has received $3.3 million from the NRA, according to The New York Times. #clearbackpacks
— Rogue Princess (@montrezniles) April 8, 2018
Other tweeters were more sarcastic, and emphasized there needs to be more intact legislation, like gun control, to help protect schools—not clear backpacks.
#ClearBackPacks : the perfect container for all the thoughts & prayers to stop evil doers #NeverAgain #RetiretheNRA #BanAssaultWeapons #VoteThemOut #MarchforourLives #NeverAgainMovement it #P2 #progressive #USpolitics #BernieSanders #OurRevolution #JillStein #socialjustice pic.twitter.com/ozyU9TS9mB
— Chris Christianson (@itwaschris) April 9, 2018
My new backpack is almost as transparent as the NRA’s agenda.
I feel sooo safe now.
As much as I appreciate the effort we as a country need to focus on the real issue instead of turning our schools into prisons. #clearbackpacks #MarchForOurLives pic.twitter.com/HqBIeGjzF9
— Lauren Hogg (@lauren_hoggs) April 2, 2018
The #ClearBackpacks debate is just beginning. With over 180 tweets per hour, there is a lot to be said.