Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is pushing to repeal gun control measures implemented after the Parkland shooting, arguing the state has lagged behind in Second Amendment protections despite its conservative reputation.
Quick Takes
- DeSantis wants to repeal Florida’s red flag law and lower the minimum age for firearm purchases from 21 to 18
- Florida is one of only four states that does not allow open carry, which DeSantis aims to change
- Republican legislative leaders express skepticism about open carry but question the constitutionality of red flag laws
- Democratic lawmakers argue these rollbacks would break promises made to Parkland families and endanger law enforcement
- DeSantis previously signed a law allowing permitless concealed carry in 2023, continuing his pro-Second Amendment agenda
DeSantis Challenges Post-Parkland Gun Restrictions
Despite Florida’s reputation as a conservative stronghold, Governor Ron DeSantis argues the state has not done enough to protect Second Amendment rights. DeSantis is now urging Florida’s Republican supermajority legislature to repeal gun control measures enacted after the 2018 Parkland school shooting. These include the state’s “red flag” law, which allows courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous, and the law raising the minimum age for purchasing firearms from 18 to 21. The governor has made strengthening gun rights a priority following his signing of permitless concealed carry legislation in 2023.
“The free state of Florida has not exactly led the way on protecting Second Amendment rights. We need to be a strong Second Amendment state,” DeSantis stated when discussing his vision for gun rights in Florida. The governor pointed out that Florida is among only four states nationwide that don’t allow open carry of firearms, positioning the state as less protective of gun rights than other Republican-led states despite its “Free State” branding. Second Amendment advocates have expressed frustration that the Republican supermajority hasn’t acted more aggressively to expand gun rights.
Open carry and red flag *repeal* https://t.co/0NTPTmQZ8U
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) March 4, 2025
Legislative Hurdles and Republican Hesitation
Despite the Republican supermajority in the Florida legislature, DeSantis may face obstacles in achieving his gun rights agenda. House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton have expressed skepticism about the necessity of open carry laws while questioning the constitutionality of red flag provisions. The Florida Legislature remains in session until May 2, 2025, providing time for various gun-related proposals to be considered.
The debate extends beyond just gun rights. DeSantis has also discussed property insurance reform, tax cuts, and a potential constitutional amendment for the 2026 ballot to protect homeowners by potentially eliminating property taxes. These broader policy initiatives reflect the governor’s comprehensive approach to what he views as expanding freedoms for Floridians while promoting fiscal responsibility. He has urged Congress to adopt similar practices to reduce the national debt, highlighting Florida’s fiscal accomplishments as a model.
“I can tell you that we, in spite of us saying we’re the Free State, in spite of us being like, ‘oh, we’re this Republican conservative bastion,’ we’ve definitely lagged on that issue,” DeSantis stated, highlighting what he sees as a constitutional inconsistency in Florida’s approach to gun rights.
Democratic Opposition and Safety Concerns
Democratic lawmakers have voiced strong opposition to DeSantis’s gun proposals, arguing they would endanger public safety and break promises made to families affected by the Parkland tragedy. House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell has been particularly vocal about these concerns, emphasizing the potential impact on law enforcement officers who would need to interact with more openly armed individuals. Senator Shevrin Jones directly challenged the governor’s position, stating that DeSantis is “absolutely on the wrong side of history on this” and arguing Florida should not follow the path of states like Texas regarding gun regulations.
Several bills dealing with firearms are currently under consideration by the legislature, including proposals to repeal local firearm regulation preemption, establish responsible gun ownership requirements, and define and ban assault weapons. These competing visions for Florida’s gun laws reflect the larger national debate between prioritizing Second Amendment rights and implementing restrictions in the name of public safety. As the legislative session continues, the governor’s ability to advance his agenda will test both his influence with lawmakers and the state’s appetite for substantial changes to its gun regulations.
