Florida shooting: Students at massacre school must use clear backpacks under new safety measures

A returning student reacts as he walks to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
AP

Students at the Florida school which was shaken by a deadly mass shooting last month must from now on use clear backpacks to carry their belongings.

Parents and pupils were informed of the new precaution by Broward County Superintendent Robert Runcie in a letter they received on Wednesday.

Florida's governor Rick Scott has also assigned state troopers to the school, and the district is also providing additional security.

Florida Shooting Vigil - In pictures

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Mr Runcie's letter says every public school in the county will be reduced to a single entry for visitors by the start of 2019.

He also said the county would receive $8.5 million from the state to post at least one school resource officer in every school, and $6 million to expand mental health services next school year.

Since teenage killer Nikolas Cruz opened fire in the school, the US has been thrust into a fresh national debate on gun laws.

It came after Mr Trump had blamed the internet, video games and violent films for motivating children to become mass murderers saying they are “shaping young people’s thoughts”.

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