Newtown Action Alliance Statement on the Florida State University Shooting
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 18, 2025
Contact:
John Kelley
917-679-6475
jkelley@newtownaction.org
Newtown Action Alliance Statement on the Florida State University Shooting
Newtown, CT - Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance released the following statement on the Florida State University shooting:
“Today, yet another university in the U.S. has been shattered by a senseless act of gun violence. Two lives were stolen and six others wounded at Florida State University when a 20-year-old student who espoused white supremacist views, opened fire near the student union. The shooter used his mother’s former service weapon. He should never have had access to a gun—especially one meant to protect the public, not terrorize a campus.
“As someone whose community was forever changed by the Sandy Hook tragedy, I am enraged—but not surprised—by the familiar cycle we are once again forced to endure: the school shooting, the empty condolences, and the deafening inaction.
“President Donald Trump said, "I have an obligation to protect the Second Amendment, I ran on the Second Amendment, among many other things, and I will always protect the Second Amendment.”
This is a craven response to students being killed and shot. Trump has not only refused to support gun reform, he is also actively dismantling it. He is working to reverse President Biden’s executive actions on gun violence prevention—including the zero-tolerance policy for rogue gun dealers—paving the way for even more illegal gun sales.
“Governor Ron DeSantis responded with his usual ‘prayers,’ but we’ve heard it all before. Under his leadership, Florida has become a breeding ground for dangerous gun extremism. He signed permitless carry into law, and now Florida Republicans are even working to reverse the modest gun safety laws passed in the wake of the Parkland massacre—laws enacted after 17 students and educators were hunted and gunned down at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. This is a shameful betrayal of the Parkland families who have been fighting for change and all Floridians who want to live free from gun violence.
“At the federal level, Republican members of Congress are pushing bills like H.R. 38, the so-called ‘Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act’ which is essentially a national permitless carry bill that would force every state to allow hidden, loaded guns from states with virtually no training or permit requirements.
If passed, this bill would destroy the strong public safety laws that communities like mine in Connecticut passed after the Sandy Hook shooting—and put more lives in danger across the country.
“Let’s be clear: this tragedy was preventable. It’s long past time for lawmakers to pass national legislation requiring safe firearm storage. This young man should never have had access to a firearm. This is yet another heartbreaking reminder that every gun must be locked, secured, and kept out of the hands of unauthorized users—especially young people, who are at higher risk of both suicide and violence.
“Seventy-six percent of school shooters obtain their guns from their own home or the home of relatives. That statistic should alarm every parent and every policymaker in America. The failure to safely secure firearms is fueling the epidemic of school shootings.
“We also cannot ignore the heartbreaking fact that guns are now the number one cause of death for American children and teens—more than car accidents, cancer, or any other cause. This is a uniquely American crisis due to 400 million guns in the hands of civilians.
“We urge Congress to do its job and pass a strong, comprehensive package of gun control laws—including universal background checks, an assault weapons ban, restrictions on high-capacity magazines, bump stock ban, mandatory safe storage requirements for all gun owners, and repeal of the gun industry’s special civil liability shield. These are common sense, life-saving measures supported by the overwhelming majority of Americans.
“Thoughts and prayers are meaningless without action. We demand accountability. We demand legislation. We demand a future where students can learn without fearing for their lives. Enough is enough.”
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Newtown Action Alliance (http://alliance.newtownaction.org/) is a Newtown-based, national grassroots organization formed after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shootings. Our mission is to achieve the steady and continuous reduction of gun violence through legislative and cultural changes.