During a press conference on Thursday, President Trump condemned the shooting at Florida State University as a “terrible” tragedy, but made it clear he doesn’t believe it should lead to new gun control legislation.
“Look, I’m a big advocate of the Second Amendment. I have been from the beginning. I’ve protected it, and these things are terrible,” Trump told reporters from the Oval Office, responding to a question about whether current gun laws need to be reconsidered in light of the incident.
“But the gun doesn’t do the shooting, the people do,” Trump continued. “It’s, you know, a phrase that’s used probably too often. I will tell you that it’s a shame. I’m just hearing about it now.”
The president noted he would issue further comments once more facts were made public, also mentioning that he’s familiar with the location of the attack.
Authorities reported that two individuals lost their lives and six more were injured when a shooter opened fire on the campus of Florida State University in Tallahassee. Police confirmed that the shooter, now in custody, is the child of a deputy with the Leon County Sheriff’s Office.
Trump has consistently reiterated his commitment to defending gun ownership rights since his first term, often addressing the topic at National Rifle Association conventions and other gatherings of gun rights supporters.
Following a tragic school shooting in 2018, Trump had gathered members of Congress to discuss possible changes to gun laws. However, no legislative reforms were ultimately passed.
{Matzav.com}