It’s so common for politicians to offer “thoughts and prayers,” or a similar refrain, following a mass shooting or another tragedy. It’s the point where it becomes a cliché, especially when offered instead of any government action that could in any way mitigate the problem.
Following the mass shooting on Thursday at Florida State University in Tallahassee, it was Gov. Ron DeSantis’ turn to do so.
“Our prayers are with our FSU family, and state law enforcement is actively responding,” was the first comment by DeSantis, the second-term Florida governor who ran for president in 2024, on X.
Our prayers are with our FSU family and state law enforcement is actively responding. https://t.co/gT4mDwWsGC
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) April 17, 2025
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One person is reportedly in custody after the Tallahassee shooting, in which at least one person died and several others were injured. It was initially reported that there were two shooters on the campus, but law enforcement later corrected that there was only one shooter. No information has been released as to the identity of the shooter, although law enforcement did say that the suspect was shot.
Several high-profile mass shootings in recent years, including the Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando and the Parkland High School shooting, have taken place in the state of Florida, which has very few gun restrictions.
Several social media users took issue with DeSantis’ reaction.
hey ron, from an FSU alum why don’t you take your prayers, shove them up your ass, and actually pass legislation on gun control https://t.co/CV6W83AwEN
— stephie (@stephsonlinee) April 17, 2025
thoughts and prayers don’t take back the trauma and pain the victims and surrounding faculty, staff and students endured nor does it protect the lives of those living in and visiting our state in the future. how about implementing some fucking gun reform? https://t.co/78uY0C6RW3
— bex🖤 (@lavenderbtrfly_) April 17, 2025
Florida does not require/have: background checks, purchase or conceal-carry permits, bans on assault weapons or high capacity mags, regulations for ghost guns, bans after violent offenses/domestic abuse convictions,etc.
Thoughts & prayers are meaningless
We need policy & change https://t.co/vcYoLxCwow— Meena Bewtra (@DrsMeena) April 17, 2025
The only actual action you’ve taken on guns is to loosen the state’s gun laws so those prayers probably won’t fix what you broke. https://t.co/iAoRp3ke6a
— Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) April 17, 2025
did you guys know you don’t need a license or a permit to carry a concealed firearm in florida? you can actually take your prayers and shove it up your ass actually. https://t.co/tTvXiUq9ki
— isa (@seokflrs) April 17, 2025
Photo courtesy of the Political Tribune media library.
