Florida gun debate heats up as Gov. DeSantis aligns with Second Amendment advocates
With Gov. Ron DeSantis issuing a call for a reevaluation of Florida guns, Second Amendment rights and gun safety advocacy groups are going all-in for what may become the most memorable gun fight in state Capitol history.
At stake are a series of gun control measures approved after the 2018 shooting at Parkland's Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School left 17 dead. There could also be a potential loosening of regulations to once again the open carrying of guns in public in Florida.
Groups like the NRA, Gun Owners of America, Florida Gun Rights and others opposed the reforms included in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act that raised the age to buy firearms, created protective risk orders (or red flag laws) and background checks.
Standing in the way of repeal has been legislative leaders. And now after an intense immigration enforcement fight with lawmakers, and the Legislature overriding spending vetoes, DeSantis has aligned himself with Second Amendment advocates who say the Republican Party supermajority he leads in Tallahassee is weak on gun rights.
In a discussion of the legislative session with reporters, DeSantis said he supports repealing age requirements, red flag laws, and allowing open carry. “Those are things that a lot of us have been talking about for a long time,” he said.
https://www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/local/state/2025/03/05/desantis-pushes-for-major-gun-rights-changes-in-florida/81595365007/
Great new tourist campaign slogan: "Visit Florida -- the Gunshine State!" That will surely encourage international tourism.
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