DeSantis Signs Bill Stripping Automatic Emergency Firearm Bans

 

When the Sirens Sound, So Do the Guns

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 6025 into law on Wednesday, immediately repealing the state’s automatic firearm and ammunition restrictions during local states of emergency. 

The move, championed by Rep. Monique Miller (R-Palm Bay), has ignited debate over public safety and Second Amendment rights in times of crisis.

What Changed: A Closer Look at HB 6025

Under prior law (Section 870.044 of the Florida Statutes), a local official—be it a sheriff, police chief, or mayor—could declare a state of emergency in the face of violence or civil unrest. 

Once declared, this triggered automatic prohibitions on:

• The sale or display for sale of firearms and ammunition.

• The intentional possession of a firearm in a public place (except by law enforcement or military personnel).

With HB 6025 now in effect, these prohibitions are no longer automatic during an emergency. 

Instead, local authorities must enact any firearm-related restrictions on a case-by-case basis, rather than relying on a blanket ban.

 

Sponsor’s Rationale: “When Floridians Most Need to Defend Themselves”

Rep. Monique Miller, the bill’s sponsor, underscored her motivation in a statement:

“When Floridians most need the ability to defend themselves, their families, and their property, Florida statute strictly prohibits it. This bill would repeal section 870.044 of the Florida Statutes, which currently establishes automatic limits on the possession and carrying of firearms and ammunition when an emergency is declared. 

By removing these automatic restrictions, the bill ensures that lawful gun owners are not preemptively barred from exercising their Second Amendment rights during times of crisis.

This legislation is significant because it addresses concerns about balancing public safety with constitutional liberties. During emergencies—when personal security may become a heightened issue—law-abiding citizens may need to rely on their right to bear arms more than ever. 

While public safety remains essential, HB 6025 clarifies that citizens who follow existing firearms laws should not face automatic prohibitions simply because of an emergency declaration.”

Political Support and Legislative Sweep

After its filing in February, HB 6025 quickly garnered bipartisan support among state lawmakers. It passed both the Florida House and Senate by wide margins before landing on Governor DeSantis’s desk. 

DeSantis, echoing his campaign promise to expand firearm freedoms, signed the bill without delay, allowing it to take effect immediately.

Broader Context: Emergency Declarations and Local Authority

Under Florida law, local officials can declare a state of emergency in response to riots, civil disturbances, or other events threatening public order. 

Prior to HB 6025, such declarations triggered an automatic curtailment of gun rights: store shelves had to clear their pistols and ammo; everyday citizens were forced to holster their firearms.

Critics argue this made sense—reducing the number of firearms on the streets during volatile times minimized the risk of further violence. 

Proponents of HB 6025 counter that law-abiding citizens who store and carry within the law should not be disarmed when they might need to protect themselves amid chaos.

Public Reaction: Safety vs. Liberty

Community feedback has polarized along familiar lines. In a local Facebook group, one resident wrote, “I want to be able to defend my home if looters show up.” Another retorted, “This is downright irresponsible—putting more guns around every time things get tense.”

Law enforcement officials have also voiced concerns. Anonymously, one sheriff’s deputy told reporters that remove-all-arms mandates “at least made it easier to enforce order.” 

Conversely, a private security expert argued that any tool a legitimate citizen can use for protection should remain accessible—“especially when police are overwhelmed.”

 

What’s Next: Local Ordinances and the Rule Book

With automatic bans gone, counties and cities must now draft specific ordinances to restrict firearms during emergencies—if they choose to do so at all. The West Palm Beach City Council, for instance, plans to revisit its emergency powers in June, weighing whether to enact a narrowly tailored gun ban during future riots.

Meanwhile, Gov. DeSantis’s office has confirmed that no executive action will restore statewide, automatic firearm curfews. Instead, the burden falls on local leadership to decide if and when to issue an emergency order restricting gun rights.

The Final Bullet Point

As Florida enters hurricane season—when states of emergency are routine—gun rights advocates celebrate this legislative victory. 

At the same time, public safety officials warn that without automatic restrictions, the state is gambling with an already volatile mix of high emotions, high winds, and high fireworks. 

With the sirens sounding, Floridians may soon find themselves debating whether they’re safer with—or without—their firearms in hand.

 

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