A school safety panel established after the Parkland, Florida school shooting will not be looking into the impact of guns on school shootings, the US education secretary announced.

Betsy DeVos had set up the federal school safety commission in the wake of the 14 February shooting that left 17 people dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. But, during testimony in front of Congress Ms DeVos said guns were “not part of the commission’s charge, per se”.

Though pressed further for answers, Ms DeVos only said that the commission will look into “school safety and how we can ensure our students are safe at school”. However, the White House issued a statement when the group was established that said "age restrictions for certain firearm purchases” would be one of its agenda items.

According to CNN, the first meeting of the commission involved touring “a Maryland elementary school that focuses on positive behavioural intervention, which focuses on mentoring and counselling as opposed to punitive discipline practices”. Possible changes to gun laws were not discussed.

US Department of Education spokesperson Elizabeth Hill told the Huffington Post that though Ms DeVos seemed to suggest the commission would not touch the issue of guns, recommendations regarding age restrictions on firearm purchases are “one of the 27 items to be addressed by the report” that Ms DeVos said should be done by the end of the year.

Ms Hill also noted “that the commission cannot create or amend current gun laws — that is the Congress’ job”.

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After the Parkland shooting, student survivors organised, staged sit-ins, attended a forum at the White House, and held a massive march in several cities around the country to support amending gun control laws.

At the time, President Donald Trump had suggested that arming teachers was one method of reducing school shootings. Since his comment, scores more have been injured at 10 people died in school shootings in Indiana and Texas.

March for Our Lives – in pictures Show all 13 1 /13 March for Our Lives – in pictures March for Our Lives – in pictures Demonstrators chant during the protest for gun legislation and school safety AP March for Our Lives – in pictures Trevon ‘Tre’ Bosley, 19, of Chicago, the brother of Terrell Bosley who was killed in 2006 in a case of mistaken identity, speaks during the rally AP March for Our Lives – in pictures Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School student Delaney Tarr speaks at the rally AFP/Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Protestors line the streets in Washington Getty Images March for Our Lives – in pictures People arrive for the March For Our Lives rally against gun violence in Washington, DC AFP/Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Protestors carrying placards in Washington AFP/Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Protestors hold up placards in Washington AFP/Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Schoolchildren wear targets ahead of the rally Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Attendees congregate in preparation for the march Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Students brought a host of innovative placards AFP/Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures The movement’s main demand is the banning of assault rifles Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures Since the Florida shooting, students have called for urgent gun reform AFP/Getty March for Our Lives – in pictures In the wake of the Florida attack, President Donald Trump called for teachers to be armed AFP/Getty

Ms DeVos had voiced support for the idea as well.

Other suggestions made by members of Congress and other politicians - many of whom receive millions in campaign contributions and assistance from the National Rifle Association (NRA) - are to reduce violence in video games, reduce the number of doors in schools, and restricting access to pornography.