Students in Sanford stage walkout over gun safety

SANFORD, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - More than 200 students participated in that walkout on Friday at Seminole High School in Sanford, with the goal of making their voices heard to state legislators and beyond. 

Wearing shirts with the faces of the young victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, students walked out of class for 17 minutes, to honor the 17 killed in the Valentine's Day massacre in Parkland, Florida.

"Today, we stage a walk out at our high school to demand change from our legislators," said one student.

Another student added, "We walk in here, and we're scared. We asked everyone out there, 'Do you feel safe coming to school?
 Raise your hand if you don't.' Every single hand was up."

Students made brief speeches and set up a table to  write letters to the students at Stoneman Douglas, as well as  state legislators.

"We had draft letters written out with specific policy amendments," one student said.  "We wanted our legislators to follow."
 
They said the walkout was not just about gun laws, but it was also about having more support staff, such as guidance counselors and school resource officers.

"I've stayed home multiple days from threats, because every threat is only a threat until it happens, and I don't think that you should be scared to your right to an education," a student said.

We are told administrators were aware of the walkout prior to it happening and were fully supportive.