Staff Reports
Florida State University was rocked by tragedy this week when a 20-year-old student opened fire near the campus student union, killing two people and injuring at least five others. The shooter, the son of a local sheriff’s deputy, was ultimately shot and apprehended by law enforcement after failing to comply with police commands. The incident left students and faculty shaken, as the university was forced into lockdown and emergency alerts blared across campus. This is yet another grim reminder that no community is immune to the violence that has become all too frequent in American life.
The immediate response from law enforcement was swift and decisive, with officers neutralizing the threat before even more lives could be lost. Students, many of whom had been trained in active shooter protocols due to the unfortunate necessity of such drills in today’s world, quickly barricaded themselves in classrooms and dorms. Their preparedness, a direct result of practical safety measures rather than empty political rhetoric, likely saved lives. It’s a testament to the importance of empowering individuals and institutions to defend themselves, rather than relying on distant promises of legislative fixes that rarely materialize.
Predictably, the aftermath of the shooting has reignited the national debate over gun control. However, as has been proven time and again, restrictive gun laws do little to deter those intent on committing evil. In this case, the shooter accessed a firearm belonging to his mother, a law enforcement officer, underscoring that determined criminals will always find a way. Instead of reflexively calling for more regulations that only hinder law-abiding citizens, it’s time to focus on real solutions, such as hardening school security, supporting responsible gun ownership, and addressing the root causes of violence, including mental health and the breakdown of family and community values.
The left’s knee-jerk reaction is always to blame firearms, ignoring the fact that so many of these tragedies occur in so-called “gun-free zones” where law-abiding citizens are left defenseless. There is ample evidence that armed security and even trained, vetted staff can deter or stop would-be attackers far more effectively than any gun control measure. Yet, progressive politicians and activists remain fixated on disarming the public, leaving our schools and universities vulnerable. It’s time to stop scapegoating the Second Amendment and start empowering Americans to protect themselves and their communities.
As the FSU community mourns and begins the long process of healing, let’s honor the victims not by stripping away fundamental rights, but by doubling down on common-sense security measures and reaffirming our commitment to personal responsibility and self-defense. The answer isn’t more government overreach or empty promises—it’s a return to the values that made this country strong: faith, family, freedom, and the courage to stand up against evil wherever it appears.
