Governor Ron DeSantis pushes to dismantle key gun control measures enacted after the Parkland tragedy, setting up a heated battle between Second Amendment advocates and those concerned about public safety.
Quick Takes
- DeSantis is seeking to repeal Florida’s “red flag” laws and lower the minimum age for gun purchases from 21 to 18
- Florida is one of only four states prohibiting open carry, which DeSantis aims to change
- Despite having a Republican supermajority, legislative leaders have shown hesitation about some proposed changes
- Democrats argue these rollbacks would break promises made to the Parkland community following the 2018 shooting
- The push comes after DeSantis already signed permitless concealed carry into law in 2023
DeSantis Challenges Post-Parkland Gun Restrictions
Governor Ron DeSantis is leading a fresh push to strengthen Second Amendment rights in Florida by targeting restrictions put in place after the 2018 Parkland school shooting. The governor is specifically calling for the repeal of “red flag” laws that allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous and wants to lower the minimum age for purchasing firearms from 21 back to 18. These measures were enacted as part of a bipartisan response to the tragedy that claimed 17 lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, however DeSantis argues that they infringe upon constitutional rights.
“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.
Open carry and red flag *repeal* https://t.co/0NTPTmQZ8U
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) March 4, 2025
Legislative Hesitation Despite Republican Control
Despite Florida’s Republican supermajority in the legislature, DeSantis faces some resistance from within his own party. House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton have expressed skepticism about the need for open carry in Florida, though they’ve shown more receptiveness to examining the constitutionality of red flag laws. The governor signed legislation allowing permitless concealed carry in 2023, but his current proposals go further.
“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,” Governor DeSantis declared, signaling his determination to change Florida’s approach.
Florida currently stands as one of only four states that do not permit open carry of firearms, a status DeSantis frequently highlights as inconsistent with the state’s otherwise conservative reputation. The Legislature remains in session until May 2, 2025, giving lawmakers several months to consider the governor’s proposals alongside numerous other gun-related bills that have been introduced from both sides of the political spectrum.
Democrats Raise Safety Concerns
Democratic lawmakers have pushed back forcefully against DeSantis’s proposals, with House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell leading the opposition. Democrats argue that rolling back these safety measures would violate promises made to the Parkland community and could endanger both the public and law enforcement officers. Senator Shevrin Jones has been particularly vocal, expressing concern about Florida following the path of states like Texas in expanding gun rights and warning about potential public safety implications of repealing established safeguards.
“It seems to me that we’re breaking our promise to the parents and the students of Parkland. (The changes) would be awful for our law enforcement. We absolutely want to keep them safe as they do their job. I was very troubled by his comments,” said House Democrat Leader Fentrice Driskell.
The debate over Florida’s gun laws comes amid a broader national conversation about the balance between Second Amendment rights and public safety measures. For DeSantis, who has positioned Florida as a “Free State” and conservative stronghold, strengthening gun rights represents an opportunity to address what he sees as an inconsistency in the state’s political identity.
