JGVPR Statement on Tragic School Shooting at Florida State University
From JWI’s Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable on April 17, 2025:
The Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable is heartbroken by the tragic school shooting at Florida State University in which at least two people were killed and several others have been injured. Alumni of Marjory Stonemen Douglas High School are students at FSU and are experiencing their second school shooting. While we are still learning more about the situation, this senseless act of violence has shaken our community. We are holding the FSU family in our hearts.
In this time of profound sorrow, it is crucial that we come together as a community to offer support, comfort, and strength to one another. But our thoughts and prayers are not enough - we must act decisively to prevent future acts of gun violence.
The Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable stands in solidarity with the victims and their families and reaffirms our commitment to advocating for safer schools, including postsecondary institutions, and stronger gun violence prevention measures. The Roundtable applauds the measures Florida took in the aftermath of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting to strengthen state gun laws to protect students and communities, and we call on Florida to maintain and strengthen those laws.
In the wake of this tragedy, we also urge our lawmakers and community leaders across the country to:
Enact common-sense gun violence prevention measures, such as universal background checks, restrictions on high-capacity magazines, and pass and enforce extreme risk laws to prevent individuals in crisis from accessing firearms.
Pass or maintain state laws limiting firearm access for people under 21 years of age.
Invest in early intervention and prevention programs to address the root causes of violence and provide support to at-risk individuals before tragedies occur.
Foster a culture of empathy, inclusion, and mutual respect within our schools and communities to prevent future acts of violence and promote positive relationships among students and peers.
As we mourn the lives lost and grapple with the trauma inflicted by this tragedy, let us also draw strength from our shared commitment to creating a safer and more compassionate world for all. Together, we can honor the memory of the victims by taking meaningful action to prevent further senseless loss of life.
With heartfelt condolences and solidarity,
Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable
The Jewish Gun Violence Prevention Roundtable (JGVP Roundtable) works to amplify the collective voice of the Jewish community in addressing the pervasive issue of gun violence in the United States. By uniting individuals and organizations already involved in diverse approaches to combatting gun violence, our roundtable aims to strengthen our efforts and drive meaningful change. Guided by our Jewish values, particularly the principle of 'Lo ta'amod al dam re'echa' (Do not stand idly by the blood of your neighbor), we are compelled to act and intervene in the face of harm. We are further driven by the experiences of being a religious minority disproportionately impacted by hate crimes and alarmed by the epidemic of gun violence that disproportionately impacts the most vulnerable populations. The JGVP Roundtable, representing Jewish organizations across the nation, is committed to forging a future free from gun violence.