Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has now reportedly announced his intention to repeal the state’s red flag laws, arguing that they infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of gun owners.
He made this declaration during his recent State of the State Address, asserting that the legislation, enacted in 2018 following the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, is unconstitutional.
The red flag law allows law enforcement to petition the courts to confiscate firearms from individuals deemed a threat to themselves or others.
Additionally, it prevents those individuals from purchasing more weapons. DeSantis criticized the law for shifting the burden of proof onto individuals, stating that it requires them to demonstrate they are not a danger, which he believes undermines due process.
Since the law was implemented, nearly 10,000 petitions for risk protection orders have been filed by law enforcement across Florida.
DeSantis contends that he would have opposed the law had he been in office at the time it was passed.
He emphasized that taking away someone’s property, particularly a constitutional right, should not be done lightly.
As of now, no formal bills have been introduced in the Florida legislature to repeal the red flag law, but DeSantis’s announcement signals a potential shift in the state’s approach to gun legislation.
His stance aligns with a broader trend among some lawmakers advocating for more expansive gun rights and the protection of individual freedoms.
This push to repeal the red flag law is likely to spark discussions about gun control and public safety, as advocates on both sides of the issue weigh in on the implications for community safety and constitutional rights.
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