Following a deadly shooting on a university campus in Tallahassee, Florida, the U.S. president appeared somber as he issued a response from the White House.
President Donald Trump delivered a brief statement from the Oval Office on Friday in response to the shooting at Florida State University (FSU), which occurred on Thursday, April 17, 2025.
“It’s a horrible thing. Horrible that things like this take place,” Trump said. He added that he had been “fully briefed” on the situation and described the tragedy as “a shame.”
When asked by reporters whether the shooting would lead him to consider tighter gun regulations, Trump reiterated his longstanding position on the Second Amendment. “These things are terrible. But the gun doesn’t do the shooting, the people do, phrases used probably too often,” he said.
Trump added, “As far as legislation is concerned, this has been going on for a long time. “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.”
He also remarked that he was familiar with the region, noting that he knew “the very area well” and had knowledge of both the university and the state of Florida.
Trump on FSU shooting: These things are terrible. But the gun doesn't do the shooting, the people do.. as far as legislation is concerned, I have an obligation to protect the second amendment pic.twitter.com/FelLyHUoDs
— Acyn (@Acyn) April 17, 2025