https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/10/06/florida-desantis-hurricane-milton-guns/
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has issued an emergency declaration ahead of Hurricane Milton that prohibits Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie from exercising his authority to suspend or limit gun sales.
The preemption of Guthrie’s authority is unprecedented and even highlighted in the news release that went out with the executive order declaring an emergency:
“For your reporting purposes, please note in particular the following: Language in the opening portion of Section 2, which prohibits the suspension of or limitation of the sale, dispensation, or transportation of firearms.”
No such language was provided in the disaster declarations for hurricanes earlier this year, Idalia last year or Ian the year before.
The order comes shortly after the City of Okeechobee had issued an ordinance in advance of Helene banning citizens from carrying guns and limiting the sale of guns and ammunition, causing an immediate outcry from DeSantis and gun rights advocates.
“I went straight to the City Council and confronted the Mayor on this issue,” said Luis Valdes, the Florida director of Gun Owners of America. “The Mayor apologized to us and said the city made a mistake and will never do it again.”
Florida law allows the emergency management director to prohibit citizens from carrying guns and selling guns and ammunition during an emergency, but Guthrie has not taken such action as far as available records show.
The reason the Emergency Management Director is restricted from banning the sale of firearms violates the Second Amendment, Valdes said.
“Floridians have the right to keep and bear arms,” he said. “The suspension of such a right is a clear violation of the Second Amendment. Such a ban wouldn’t stop criminals, but it sure would hurt the law-abiding.
Originally Published: October 6, 2024 at 1:47 p.m.
