Florida may soon see major changes to its gun laws as Governor Ron DeSantis pushes to repeal restrictions enacted after the 2018 Parkland school shooting. He’s about to reform the state’s firearms laws to be more pro-freedom.
At a Glance
- Gov. Ron DeSantis is pushing to repeal post-Parkland gun control measures, including the red flag law and age restrictions on firearm purchases
- DeSantis wants Florida to become a “strong Second Amendment state” and allow open carry, currently prohibited
- Florida is one of only four states that does not allow open carry of firearms
- House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell claims repealing these laws would break promises made to Parkland victims’ families
- The Florida Legislature, with a Republican supermajority, has until May 2 to act on these proposals
DeSantis Targets Post-Parkland Gun Control Laws
Governor Ron DeSantis is taking aim at gun control measures enacted following the tragic 2018 Parkland school shooting, arguing that Florida has fallen behind other conservative states in protecting Second Amendment rights. The Governor specifically wants to repeal Florida’s controversial “red flag” law and remove age-based restrictions that prevent adults under 21 from purchasing firearms.
“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 Ron DeSantis said. The Governor, who signed a permitless concealed carry law in 2023, now wants to go further by allowing open carry across the state – a practice currently prohibited in Florida, making it one of just four states with such restrictions.
Open carry and red flag *repeal* https://t.co/0NTPTmQZ8U
— Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) March 4, 2025
Republican Supermajority Divided on Gun Rights
Despite having a Republican supermajority in the Florida Legislature, DeSantis faces potential resistance from his own party. Some legislative leaders have previously blocked efforts to expand gun rights, though many are now reconsidering their positions. House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton have expressed skepticism about the need for open carry but question the constitutionality of red flag laws that allow courts to temporarily remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous.
“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 said.
That’s what they call based.
Second Amendment advocates have grown increasingly frustrated with Republican lawmakers for not advancing gun rights legislation despite controlling both chambers of the legislature. The tension was highlighted recently when a pro-gun group member was removed from the Capitol for attempting to deliver petitions supporting open carry legislation. With the legislative session running until May 2, there’s limited time for action on these proposals.
Democrats Push Back Against Repeal Efforts
Unsurprisingly, the push to roll back gun safety measures has drawn sharp criticism from Democrats and gun control advocates. Many view these laws, passed with bipartisan support after the Parkland tragedy, as critical safeguards for public safety. Senate Democrats argue that relaxing gun restrictions would put Floridians at risk and dishonor commitments made to families affected by the Parkland shooting.
“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,” House Democrat Leader Fentrice Driskell said.
DeSantis has to leave his office soon and won’t be able to run again, but he’s going out with a bang, not a whimper.
