Florida Governor Ron DeSantis just handed gun rights advocates a major win that has the Left fuming.
He’s determined to protect Floridians’ rights when they need them most.
And Ron DeSantis just handed Second Amendment supporters a huge victory with one stroke of his pen.
DeSantis removes restrictions on firearms during emergencies
On Wednesday, May 28, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 6025 into law, immediately removing restrictions that previously banned the sale and public possession of firearms during locally declared emergencies.
The new law specifically repeals provisions that prohibit Floridians from purchasing guns and ammunition during states of emergency declared by local officials due to threats of violence or public disorder.
Before this change, Florida law automatically triggered several gun restrictions whenever a local government declared an emergency.
These restrictions included banning "the sale, or display for sale, of firearms or ammunition" and prohibiting "the intentional possession of a firearm in a public place" by anyone other than law enforcement or military personnel.
Representative Monique Miller (R-Palm Bay), who sponsored the bill along with Representative Debbie Mayfield (R-Melbourne), explained the reasoning behind the legislation.
"When Floridians most need the ability to defend themselves, their families and their property, Florida statute strictly prohibits it," Miller stated. "During emergencies — when personal security may become a heightened issue — law-abiding citizens may need to rely on their right to bear arms more than ever."
The bill passed with strong support in both the Florida House and Senate before landing on DeSantis’ desk.
Second Amendment advocates celebrate the change
Gun rights supporters have long argued that emergency situations are precisely when Americans most need access to firearms for self-defense.
During legislative discussions about a similar Senate bill, Jed Carroll, Florida deputy state director of Gun Owners of America, testified that the previous law placed "unconstitutional prohibitions" on gun rights "at the very time when people need to be able to protect themselves."
Second Amendment advocates pointed to several recent situations where these restrictions were triggered, including during the COVID-19 pandemic, civil rights protests, and last September when Hurricane Helene struck Florida.
The new law aligns local emergency regulations with statewide emergency procedures.
Interestingly, Florida never restricted gun rights during governor-declared statewide emergencies, creating an inconsistency that this legislation resolves.
DeSantis continues to strengthen gun rights in Florida
This latest move aligns with Governor DeSantis’ consistent support for Second Amendment rights in the Sunshine State.
In 2023, Florida passed a constitutional carry law that allows residents to carry concealed weapons without requiring background checks, training, or a concealed weapons license.
The governor has also been vocal about his desire to implement additional pro-gun policies, including repealing age requirements for purchasing firearms, eliminating red-flag laws, removing bans on pistol braces and bump stocks, and potentially allowing open carry in the state.
"This legislation ensures that lawful gun owners are not preemptively barred from exercising their Second Amendment rights during times of crisis," Miller explained in her statement about why she filed the bill.
Under the previous law, local officials including sheriffs, police chiefs, and mayors could declare states of emergency that automatically triggered the firearm restrictions.
These declarations could be made in response to riots or other situations where large numbers of people breaking the law posed risks to people and property.
The new law took effect immediately upon DeSantis’ signature, meaning Floridians will no longer face these restrictions during future local emergencies.
Democrats push back against expanding gun rights
While the legislation sailed through Florida’s Republican-dominated legislature, Democrats and gun control advocates have expressed concerns about removing safeguards during potentially volatile situations.
Several Democratic lawmakers proposed alternative gun-related bills during this year’s legislative session, including measures that would require background checks for ammunition sales, prohibit firearms in sensitive locations such as healthcare facilities and schools, and ban the sale of assault weapons or large-capacity magazines.
These proposals failed to gain traction in committees or were among the approximately 1,300 bills that were "indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration" so the Florida Legislature could focus on the state budget.
This latest law represents another victory for Second Amendment supporters in Florida, who have seen significant expansion of gun rights under DeSantis’ leadership.
With the 2025 legislative session now concluded, Floridians have yet another freedom restored as the governor continues to position the state as a stronghold for constitutional rights.
