Florida State University students gathered Friday afternoon to pay tribute to the victims of the shooting on their campus and alongside Students Demand Action, call for change aimed at preventing future tragedies. Post-Parkland gun laws and safety changes Tragically for several FSU students Thursday was not the first time they experienced and survived a mass shooting on campus. Seven years ago in Parkland, 17 people were killed and 18 others injured during the deadliest school shooting in Florida history. The shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School sparked nationwide protest and led to significant changes to state law. Signed by then-Gov. Rick Scott, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act was seen by many as a bipartisan response to the massacre. The act which bolstered funding for mental health services and security in schools also included raising the minimum age to purchase rifles from 18 to 21, implementing red flag laws or “risk protection orders,” allowing courts to petition law enforcement to remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous. Gun laws debated during 2025 session With just weeks remaining in Florida’s legislative session, no major changes to the state’s gun laws are expected at this point. Though in recent weeks, lawmakers have debated repeals to some post-Parkland laws. During a speech to the legislature earlier this year, Governor Ron DeSantis asked legislators to repeal red flags and adopt open carry. In 2023, DeSantis signed legislation allowing for adults to carry concealed weapons without a permit. Gun rights advocates have argued about restoring constitutional rights and allowing people to protect themselves. The GOP-led House approved a bill that would lower the age to buy a rifle back to 18, but it has since stalled. “This wasn't the first year that we saw that bill. Every year I've seen that bill. I have opposed that bill,” said State Rep. Christine Hunschofsky (D-Parkland) “I will continue to oppose it because there is no data showing that anything in repealing those provisions will make our community safer.” Prior to getting elected to the Legislature, Hunschofsky was the mayor of Parkland in 2018 during the horrific shooting. “Literally breaks my heart to know that more people are now going to be going through this horrific trauma,” Hunschofsky said of the FSU shooting. Another measure proposed by former state senator and current congressman Randy Fine this year, would have allowed adults to carry concealed weapons on college campuses. The bill failed to advance.