Traveling Pulse Memorial Makes Stop in Orlando
To commemorate those who lost their lives at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, over 1,000 people contributed to constructing a memorial that has toured the country. June marked the second anniversary of the massacre, widely recognized as the second-largest mass shooting in modern U.S. history. The memorial, which features paintings of the victims and other symbolic imagery, was on display until the end of the month.
The Orlando Traveling Pulse Memorial honors the forty-nine victims of the Pulse nightclub massacre which took place on June 12, 2016. The exhibit featured portraits of the victims, which were painted by the victims’ families. The display also paid tribute to survivors of the tragedy and provided the public an opportunity to connect with those who were directly affected by the attack through their artwork.
Helping a Community Heal
Winter Park artist Colleen Ardaman organized the memorial as a way to help the community heal. Hundreds volunteered to complete the project, lending their time and artistic abilities to the memorial by painting portraits and packing, moving, and setting up the display all over the country.
Ms. Ardaman also painted her own mural as part of the display. Her portion includes pictures of the victims and other images captured on the night of the attack. She also collected handprints from the hundreds of family members, friends, first responders, hospital workers, and others involved in the tragedy.
Volunteers who were directly impacted by the shooting found that working on the project positively impacted their lives. The display brought hundreds of members of the community together to support each other in the wake of the tragic event.
Have Gun Laws Changed Since Pulse?
Much has occurred since Pulse took place two years ago, including more horrific attacks on innocent lives. On Valentine’s Day in 2018, another male shooter took the lives of 17 people in a school in Parkland. As the state of Florida grapples with the duty to protect lives, some laws have been introduced to place tighter restrictions on guns and gun owners.
Ultimately, these laws affect law-abiding citizens. In some cases, Orlando police have been able to take guns away from citizens who were deemed likely to hurt themselves or others before they have even committed an offense. If you are a responsible gun owner, it’s possible that you are not completely up-to-date with the state’s ever-changing gun restrictions.
At The Umansky Law Firm, we help people who make mistakes receive a second chance. If you lose your weapons in Orlando, speak with our gun rights lawyers to discuss ways you may be able to get them back. Call our office or contact us online to discuss your case for free.
