United States’ president Donald Trump responded on Thursday to the shooting at Florida State University that left two people dead and six others injured, calling it “terrible” and a “shame.” However, he stood firm on his long-held position against tightening gun laws.
Speaking to reporters, Trump said, “These things are terrible. But the gun doesn’t do the shooting, the people do.”
When asked whether stricter gun laws would be considered in light of the attack, Trump said he remained committed to protecting the second amendment. The second amendment to the United States constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms.
“As far as legislation is concerned, this has been going on for a long time,” he said. “I have an obligation to protect the second amendment. I ran on the second amendment… and I will always protect the second amendment,” said Trump.
The shooting, which took place on the Florida State University campus in Tallahassee on Thursday, left two dead and six injured. Police have identified the alleged gunman as Phoenix Ikner, 20, who officers shot before being taken into custody.
Also read: 20-year-old son of county sheriff’s deputy was ‘active shooter’ at FSU. He used his mother’s gun to kill 2
Trump, whose main residence is in Palm Beach, Florida, said he knew the area around FSU “very well.”
According to CBS news, during his first term, Trump banned the use of bump stocks—attachments that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire more rapidly—after the Las Vegas mass shooting. That rule was overturned by the supreme court in 2024.
In February this year, Trump signed an executive order directing attorney eneral Pam Bondi to examine the rollback of Biden-era gun regulations.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives currently lacks a permanent director. Acting leadership is now held by army secretary Dan Driscoll, who replaced FBI Director Kash Patel.
