Time Magazine’s latest cover features five survivors of the February school shooting, but all five support gun control, leading to criticism that the magazine is supporting only one viewpoint.
As a group of students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida advocate for laws further restricting citizens’ ownership of guns, including banning AR-15s, other students have expressed that other aspects of the national conversation should be focused on, such as mental health care and holes in law enforcement investigations.
Nikolas Cruz entered the school on Feb. 14 and opened fire, killing 17 people and wounding 16 others, he allegedly admitted to authorities.
However, mental health professionals ultimately decided that there wasn’t enough evidence for Cruz to be committed.
Among the Parkland students, Kyle Kashuv has emerged as a staunch defender of the Second Amendment, and he has also noted the failures by law enforcement and health officials in stopping Cruz before the mass shooting.
Kashuv was credited by multiple officials in helping craft and include the Stop School Violence Act in the omnibus that is currently being considered by President Donald Trump.
Kashuv’s meetings included visits with Trump, Vice President Mike Pence, and First Lady Melania Trump.
But Kashuv was not featured in the Time magazine cover story, nor were any other students who have similar views.
All five students featured on the cover have aligned with the Women’s March and Evertown for Gun Safety groups and have been advocating for stricter gun control laws, including the outright banning of certain guns. They include David Hogg, whose father is a retired FBI agent, and who infamously hung up on the president when he called and tried to talk with him.
“Where’s @KyleKashuv?! He’s the one who’s actually been getting something DONE in Washington!” wondered one user.
“Funny, I grew up in the same city these kids did and they DO NOT reflect the views of all the students and adults. In fact, Emma is trying to protect Sheriff Israel and BSO, who’s terrible response caused MORE PEOPLE TO DIE! This is just sick, your bias is showing,” said another.
Criticism included designers making alternative covers that sought to highlight Kashuv and Patrick Petty, whose sister died in the attack and who has been working on legislation in Washington.
Time has not responded to the criticism.
