In the wake of a school shooting that resulted in multiple injuries in Perry, Iowa, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis expressed his support for Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and local law enforcement. DeSantis, who has been campaigning in Iowa ahead of its first-in-the-nation caucuses, avoided commenting on whether he would support federal gun control regulations.

During an interview with NBC News, DeSantis emphasized his stance on protecting the rights of law-abiding citizens to exercise their constitutional rights. "I don't support infringing the rights of law-abiding citizens with respect to the ability to exercise their constitutional rights," he stated, echoing a sentiment often expressed by those opposed to gun control measures.

DeSantis also addressed the proposals for stricter gun control regulations, stating that many of them would not have prevented the recent school shootings. Instead, he focused on the importance of addressing mental health issues as a means of combating such incidents. "For whatever reason, there are people in our society that really get a kick out of doing this," DeSantis said. "And that's an underlying sickness in society. And I think that involves things like mental health."

Regarding the Perry incident, DeSantis highlighted the need for safe environments in schools and emphasized that the responsibility lies primarily with local and state governments rather than the federal government. He pointed out his own record in Florida, where he led the response to the tragic Parkland school shooting in 2018, and mentioned that over a billion dollars had been allocated for school security in the state.

The timing of this school shooting, just over a week before the Iowa caucuses on January 15, serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing issue of gun violence in the United States. The incident underscores the importance of addressing the systemic causes and implementing effective measures to prevent future shootings.

As the nation grapples with the complexities of gun control, mental health, and school safety, politicians like Governor Ron DeSantis continue to navigate these issues while connecting with voters in crucial primary states like Iowa.