Congressman Soto hold gun violence town hall

ORLANDO, Fla. (FOX 35 Orlando) - Florida Congressman Darren Soto hosted a town hall Thursday night to have an honest conversation with the public about guns. Those who showed up were sick of the violence and hope meeting with lawmakers will lead to change.

“It takes the public support of these issues and that's one of the reasons we're having the town hall tonight.”A gun safety town hall for the public because when it comes to young children, there’s nothing a parent won’t do to keep them safe.“

My son is seven years old and he does active shooter drills…and it's dark and he is afraid of the dark and he comes home scared.”

Active shooter drills and “Run Hide Fight” were all fair game to discuss at Congressman Darren Soto’s town hall at Valencia College.“Very concerned about the violence going on in our schools and on our streets,” said Shane Ulbin, who stopped by to meet with the congressman.

The town hall comes the same day a Florida House committee voted to expand the guardian program so teachers can carry guns.

“I don't think more guns is the answer to the problem. Better school security would be,” said Ulbin.

It also comes in the days after a mass shooting in New Zealand, which pushed its government to make swift changes to gun laws.

“I don't understand why we can be like that.”

The congressman touted the recent passing of universal background checks in the House, hoping it’s just the beginning of changes in the U.S.

“I try to have a lot of patience because these are big issues that are going to affect the entire nation,” said Rep. Darren Soto, D- Osceola. 

Folks hope their voices were heard.

“It’s such an important issue for Florida and for the country,” said Ulbin.

The congressman says he already drew money for Osceola County to put more deputies in Osceola County Public Schools.