Trump’s message after a tragic mass shooting at Florida State University was clear: defend the Constitution, even in moments of crisis.

On April 17, 2025, a deranged gunman killed 2 two people and wounded six others. The attack, which unfolded near the student union just before noon, rattled the campus and reignited fierce debate over gun policy and campus safety in Florida.

The shooter, identified as 20-year-old FSU student Phoenix Ikner, arrived at a campus parking garage around 11 a.m. and began firing a handgun outside the student union shortly before noon. Ikner chaotically moved across green spaces and buildings, firing indiscriminately. Law enforcement ultimately confronted him. After refusing to comply with law enforcement directives, he was shot and apprehended by the officers at the scene.

President Donald Trump, whose primary residence is in Palm Beach, Florida, responded swiftly to the tragedy. In his initial remarks, Trump described the shooting “a shame” and “a horrible thing,” stating, “Things like this take place. And we’ll have more to say about it later.” When pressed about the possibility of new gun control measures, Trump reiterated his unwavering support for the Second Amendment:

 “Look, I’m a big advocate of the Second Amendment. I have been from the beginning. I protected it, and these things are terrible, but the gun doesn’t do the shooting. The people do. It’s a phrase that’s used probably too often.”

President Trump further emphasized, “I have an obligation to protect the Second Amendment. I ran on the Second Amendment… and I will always protect the Second Amendment.”  Trump’s comments made clear that this latest shooting would not prompt him to reconsider his stance on gun rights or support additional restrictions.

The FSU shooting occurred against a backdrop of contentious debate over campus carry laws in Florida. Just three weeks before the attack, the Florida Senate Criminal Justice Committee narrowly voted down a bill (SB 814) that would have allowed concealed carry of firearms on college campuses. The bill, sponsored by Republican Sen. Randy Fine, was defeated in a 4-3 vote after Republican Sen. Ileana Garcia joined Democrats Mack Bernard, Jason Pizzo, and Carlos Guillermo Smith in opposition. Two other Republicans were absent, making Garcia’s vote decisive.

Sen. Garcia defended her vote, stating, “I have zero regret… This decision wasn’t about partisan politics; it was rooted in common sense. The incident at FSU was tragic, but the real issue lies not with the firearm itself, but with the factors that led to it.” The bill’s failure is notable in a state legislature dominated by a Republican supermajority (28-12 in the State Senate and 84-36 in the State House after the 2024 elections), further highlighting divisions even within the GOP on gun issues. 

Florida already has several gun control laws on the books, including:

• Ban on concealed carry and open carry of firearms on college campuses.
• Minimum age of 21 for purchasing rifles and handguns[10][18].
• Three-day waiting period for most firearm purchases.
• “Red flag” law allowing law enforcement to temporarily seize firearms from individuals deemed to be a threat to themselves or others.

Despite these measures, the FSU shooter was able to obtain firearms and carry out the attack, violating multiple existing laws in the process. 

While President Trump and many Republican lawmakers nominally remain committed to defending gun rights, the failure to pass the campus carry bill, due in part to a Republican defector, underscores ongoing divisions within the party. The FSU tragedy also raises questions about the effectiveness of current gun control laws, as existing measures did not stop the shooter from carrying out a heinous act. 

As the investigation continues, the debate over how best to ensure campus safety in Florida and across the nation will certainly intensify.

About José Niño

José Niño is a freelance writer based in Austin, Texas. You can contact him via Facebook and X/Twitter. Subscribe to his Substack newsletter by visiting “Jose Nino Unfiltered” on Substack.com.