Let your legislators know that yesterday's shooting was unacceptable.
And ask them: What are you doing to protect our community from gun violence?
4/18/2025
This morning, I put a onesie on my son Theo that said, “Hug me.” As I held him tightly in my arms, my mind drifted, thinking about how devastated I would be if he died in a shooting at my alma mater twenty years from now. It’s an unfortunate thought, but it’s one that haunts too many of us when there’s news about yet another mass shooting in America.
Yesterday, the son of a Leon County Sheriff Deputy opened fire near Florida State University’s Student Union, using his mother’s firearm to terrorize thousands and ultimately steal the lives of two innocent souls and wound six more.
This senseless act of gun violence occurred just one day after the 18th anniversary of the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting — a tragedy that claimed the lives of 32 professors and students.
Year after year, our lawmakers fail to pass effective measures to end gun violence. And here in Florida, they have erased one of the most basic gun safety laws — and want to do away with another.
Florida stopped requiring residents to obtain a permit to publicly carry a concealed gun in 2023 after Governor DeSantis signed House Bill 543 into law. Of the three lawmakers representing the Tallahassee area, only one, Rep. Allison Tant, voted against that bill.
The same Florida state legislators who voted to weaken gun safety laws in our state are now offering prayers to yesterday’s victims— instead of taking meaningful action to end this recurring nightmare.
Demand action. Call your state legislators and ask them: What are you doing to protect my family and community from gun violence? Are you working to ensure the bill that would lower the age to purchase shotguns and rifles from 21 to 18 doesn’t advance in the Legislature?
For Tallahassee residents:
Sen. Simon - (850) 487-5003 - simon.corey.web@flsenate.gov
Rep. Franklin - (850) 717-5008 - Gallop.Franklin@myfloridahouse.gov
Rep. Tant - (850) 717-5009 - Allison.Tant@myfloridahouse.gov
Don’t forget, we’re in this together.
Shelby