Following a mass shooting that left two dead and five injured on the campus of Florida State University on April 17th, the Florida Democratic Party released the following statement: 

“Our hearts are heavy as we grieve with the victims and families of those who were killed and injured in a mass shooting on Florida State University’s campus on April 17th,” said FDP Chair Nikki Fried. “We are grateful for the rapid and effective response from first responders and law enforcement who responded quickly to the shooter and conducted a thorough sweep of the campus to secure the scene. Their professionalism and coordination saved lives. 

“This is every student’s worst nightmare, every parent’s greatest fear and a day that educators hope will never come. To all of the students and teachers traumatized by the violence unleashed on them today, we are with you — and to the students who survived Parkland and currently attend FSU, we are so sorry you had to endure this terror again. Our elected officials have failed you. 

“As we await more information on exactly how the shooter accessed his parent’s firearm, it’s not too soon to say that lowering the firearm purchase age to 18 is a dangerous idea with deadly consequences. Any elected officials or lawmakers who would support rolling back that law would be complicit in the continued threat of gun violence on college campuses. It’s time for the Florida Legislature to stop working for the gun lobby and start working for Floridians — and take real steps to make our students safer.”