DeSantis sticks to script on immigration, gun reform in Iowa town hall

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) stayed on message Thursday when asked about immigration and gun reform during a presidential town hall in Iowa. 

Responding to a question from an Iowa voter about how he would deal with school shootings without infringing on gun rights, DeSantis cited policies he implemented in Florida following the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. 

“I was charged with implementing reforms to be able to provide security for schools,” the governor said. “So we’ve done everything, like school resource officers, help with hardening, but also help identify students that are exhibiting really problematic behavior.”

DeSantis also took an opportunity to criticize former President Trump over his failure to deliver on previous promises to end birthright citizenship. 

“All he had to do was put his John Hancock on a piece of paper, and he did not do it,” DeSantis said. “When I tell you I’m going to do something, you can take it to the bank.” 

DeSantis’s remarks come after a gunman opened fire at Perry High School in Dallas County, Iowa on Thursday, killing one student and injuring five other people. Police said the gunman died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to NBC News.

DeSantis avoided saying if he would support any federal gun control regulations Thursday when asked about the shooting and voiced support for local law enforcement. 

Meanwhile, Republicans on Capitol Hill and the campaign trail have gone on the offense against President Biden for the flow of migrants over the southern border. Earlier this week, DeSantis wrote in a Des Moines Register op-ed that he would declare a border emergency on the first day of his presidency. 

“On day one of my presidency, I will declare a national emergency and shut down all illegal entries,” he wrote. “Phony asylum claims aimed at bypassing proper immigration processes will no longer be entertained.“