On April 17, 2025, Florida State University (FSU) in Tallahassee became the site of a tragic mass shooting that resulted in two fatalities and six injuries. The incident has not only shaken the university community but also reignited contentious debates over gun control legislation in Florida.

The shooting occurred around 11:50 a.m. near the Student Union Building, a central hub for student activities. The alleged perpetrator, 20-year-old student Phoenix Ikner, opened fire using his stepmother's former service weapon. The victims included 57-year-old Robert Morales, a campus dining director, and 45-year-old Tiru Chabba, a regional vice president at Aramark Collegiate Hospitality; neither were students. Among the injured, five were shot, and one was hurt while fleeing. Ikner was shot by responding officers after refusing to comply with commands and remains hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. The motive for the shooting is currently under investigation.

In response to the tragedy, FSU canceled all classes and athletic events through the weekend. A vigil was held at Langford Green in front of Doak Campbell Stadium to honor the victims. The university community has been left grappling with the shock and grief of the incident.

The shooting has intensified debates over Florida's gun laws. Survivors of the 2018 Parkland school shooting, now FSU students, are advocating for the preservation of gun control measures enacted post-Parkland, such as red flag laws and raising the minimum age for firearm purchases to 21. They are urging the Republican-controlled legislature to resist efforts to repeal these measures. A House bill proposing to lower the gun purchase age to 18 has stalled in the Senate, particularly following the recent violence. Lawmakers from both parties have expressed frustration over recurring tragedies and called for further action, though new gun control bills have yet to advance.

Florida's gun laws have undergone significant changes in recent years. In April 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill eliminating the requirement for individuals to obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm, making Florida the 26th state to adopt constitutional carry legislation. Additionally, the "10-20-Life" law imposes mandatory minimum sentences for crimes involving firearms, aiming to deter gun violence.

The FSU shooting is part of a troubling pattern of gun violence on U.S. college campuses. Notable incidents include the 2007 Virginia Tech shooting, which resulted in 32 deaths, and the 2014 FSU library shooting that injured three individuals. These events have consistently sparked national debates on campus safety and gun control policies.

The FSU shooting serves as a stark reminder of the persistent issue of gun violence on educational campuses. The incident has reignited debates on campus safety and gun control laws in Florida. The ongoing struggle between public safety concerns and legislative actions regarding firearm regulations continues to be a contentious issue in the state.