By Paul Waldmiller
Did you know that Governor Ron DeSantis has stated that now he wishes to repeal Florida red flag laws? Ron DeSantis just a few days ago signaled that he wants to repeal the red flag laws here, stating that it infringes on gun owners’ Second Amendment rights. The governor made his intentions known during last Tuesday’s State of the State Address.
Our state’s red flag law was signed by then-Gov. Rick Scott, a measure established after the tragic Parkland shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School that claimed 17 lives in 2018.
Florida House Democrat Leader, Fentrice Driskell stated in response to the governor’s wishes to remove red flag laws by stating, “It seems that we’re breaking our promised to the parents and the students of Parland. The changes would be awful for our law enforcement. We absolutely want to keep them safe as they do their job. I am very troubled by his [DeSantis’] statement.”
Opponents of red flag laws argue that these types of laws violate the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as well as due process protections. Every American has the right to be presumed innocent, not guilty before any trial begins. Red flag laws allow courts and law enforcement to confiscate guns without any finding of guilt or innocence. Many gun owners have had their guns taken away simply on an accusation of an angry spouse, neighbor, or others.