As many experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns, far too many public officials are eager to restrict constitutional rights under the guise of “public safety.”
A recent such instance in Florida has Sunshine State officials proclaiming that there will not be utterly unnecessary gun bans during this week’s weather emergency.
The cleanup from Hurricane Helene is still being undertaken as Hurricane Milton, now a dangerous Category 5 storm, is bearing down on the state. It was a temporary emergency order issued by the Okeechobee Police Department ahead of Helene that generated fury among civil libertarians.
The department prohibited the sale of guns and ammunition and banned possession of firearms by anyone who is not a part of law enforcement or active military.
An outpouring of protest from the region and nationwide led to hasty backtracking by Okeechobee officials.
They quickly asserted that the gun ban was a mistake and was never intended to be enforced. At a time when the need to protect persons and property is enhanced, it would be the height of foolishness to suspend civil liberties arbitrarily.
The Firearms Policy Coalition (FPC) quickly jumped into the fray, posting on X that the gun rights group spoke with a member of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ (R) administration. “Not only was this local declaration illegal and unconstitutional, we were told that as soon as the Governor’s office was aware they directed the Police Chief to rescind the order.
Then, the governor took the action a step further, preemptively issuing an emergency declaration forbidding state Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie from suspending or limiting gun sales.
Florida law permits the director to ban carrying or selling firearms during emergencies, but only in specific situations. There must have been violent acts or resistance to government authority, none of which, of course, existed prior to Milton’s arrival.
Guthrie is a DeSantis appointee, so it is unlikely that he would issue such a wrong-headed missive leading up to a hurricane. But it is a good idea to ensure that gun rights are protected, particularly after a clear example of local officials trampling on the Second Amendment.
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