Gov. DeSantis makes push to repeal Florida’s red flag laws
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a Republican, recently announced his plans to repeal the red flag law in the state, citing concerns that it violates the Second Amendment rights of gun owners. DeSantis made this declaration during his State of the State Address, signaling a significant shift in the state’s gun control policies.
The red flag law in Florida was originally signed by former Governor Rick Scott, also a Republican and now a U.S. senator, in response to the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in February 2018, where 17 lives were lost. The law allows law enforcement to petition the court to confiscate firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others and prohibits them from purchasing additional weapons in the future. Unlike other states with similar laws, in Florida, only law enforcement can initiate the process, not family members or roommates.
Additionally, the Florida red flag law raised the minimum legal age for purchasing firearms to 21. Governor DeSantis has been vocal in his opposition to these types of laws, referring to them as unconstitutional. He stated that if he had been in office at the time of the law’s passing in 2018, he would have vetoed it.
DeSantis argues that red flag laws, also known as risk protection orders, violate due process by shifting the burden of proof onto individuals to demonstrate that they are not a threat. According to state records, nearly 10,000 risk protection order petitions were filed by law enforcement in Florida between July 2022 and the end of 2024.
Despite DeSantis’ strong stance against the red flag law, no bills have been introduced in the Florida legislature to repeal it. The governor’s position on this issue has sparked debate and divided opinions among lawmakers and residents in the state.
As Governor DeSantis continues to push for the repeal of the red flag law in Florida, the future of gun control measures in the state remains uncertain. The debate surrounding Second Amendment rights and public safety is likely to intensify as the discussion progresses.
