Campus Safety and the Right to Bear Arms: A Call for Common Sense

On April 25, 2025, a tragic incident unfolded near Florida State University (FSU), reigniting the debate over the role of firearms on campus. While the mainstream media and left-leaning pundits wasted no time pushing their gun-control narratives, they conveniently continue to ignore a glaring truth—gun-free zones don’t work. And unfortunately, it’s students who pay the ultimate price.

The Problem Isn’t Legal Gun Owners—It’s Criminals Who Ignore the Law

The article covering the FSU shooting attempts to frame the issue as a failure of our firearm laws. That narrative is as tired as it is misguided. Here’s the reality: Florida law currently prohibits concealed carry of firearms on college campuses—even by permitted and trained adults. Yet somehow, a firearm still ended up on campus. Why?

Because criminals do not obey gun laws. Disarming law-abiding citizens doesn’t deter crime—it empowers it. Every time a shooting like this occurs, the media clutches pearls over access to firearms while ignoring the root cause: an unarmed population left defenseless by misguided policies consistently pushed by gun-control advocates.

Gun-Free Zones Invite, Not Prevent, Violence

The FSU campus, like many others, is a “gun-free zone” by statute—not by reality. In the wake of the recent FSU shooting, anti-gun voices quickly seized the moment to call for stricter background checks and more federal gun-control legislation. But here’s what they don’t seem to ask: How did gun-free zones factor into this tragedy?

When a deranged individual seeks to commit violence, what better target than a location where they know their victims can’t fight back? Studies have consistently shown that mass shootings overwhelmingly occur in places where the lawful carry of firearms is prohibited.

• 94% of mass public shootings between 1950 and 2019 occurred in gun-free zones (Crime Prevention Research Center).
• Defensive gun use saves lives. According to the CDC, Americans use guns defensively between 500,000 and 3 million times per year.

Why are politicians continuing down a path that sacrifices campus safety under the illusion of control? Because many care more about appeasing political donors and spewing talking points than about genuinely protecting our youth.

Fortress Firearms Training Advocates for Real Solutions

At Fortress Firearms Training in Fountain Inn, SC, we don’t just believe in the Second Amendment—we live it. We understand that the way to protect our students, homes, and communities isn’t by stripping away rights, but by empowering responsible citizens through education and training.

Our courses are designed to meet the needs of every experience level. Whether you’ve just purchased your first handgun or want to master advanced defensive shooting techniques, we offer courses that emphasize:

• Firearms safety fundamentals
• Marksmanship development
• Legal education regarding firearm ownership and use
• Scenario-based defensive tactics

We believe every law-abiding adult should have the right to protect themselves—on campus, in their homes, and in public. That right should never be subject to academic politics or anti-gun hysteria whipped up by the media.

Let’s Talk About Campus Safety, Not Just Gun Control

The FSU incident has amplified the growing divide between constitutionally protected rights and feel-good policy proposals. Instead of blindly pushing for legislative restrictions that don’t prevent crime, it’s time to ask tougher questions:

• Should responsible concealed carriers be allowed to protect themselves on college campuses?
• Why are we more comfortable with the government providing a false sense of security than allowing individuals to train for real self-defense?
• Could this tragedy at FSU have been prevented—or mitigated—if campus carry was permitted?

We know the answers. We see them in our courses every day. When good people are trained, informed, and prepared, they not only protect themselves—they deter criminal intent.

Don’t Let Media Fearmongering Override Facts

Left-leaning outlets and politicians will continue to exploit tragedies like the FSU shooting to further their goal of disarming the public. But statistics and real-world outcomes continue to highlight the failure of their policies. Instead of pandering to fear, we should be fostering personal responsibility, situational awareness, and firearms proficiency.

At Fortress Firearms Training, we’re proud to contribute to that solution. We stand behind the Constitution, behind the right of every American to protect themselves, and behind responsible firearms training as a cornerstone of public safety.

Take Action—Responsibly

If you’re concerned about your safety or the safety of your loved ones—and you should be—don’t wait for the government to catch up. Join a community that puts your rights and your preparedness first. Sign up for a class at Fortress Firearms Training today, and take real control of your safety.

Let’s stop treating tragedies as opportunities to erode our freedoms. Instead, let’s honor victims by ensuring the next one has someone trained and armed close by. When it comes to campus safety and gun politics, facts and training—not fear—must lead the way.