TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In a major victory for gun rights supporters, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed HB 6025 into law, repealing one of the state’s most controversial firearm restrictions. Effective immediately, the bill eliminates a long-standing provision that automatically restricted the sale and possession of firearms during declared local emergencies.
The now-repealed law had prohibited Floridians from buying or openly possessing firearms in public — even if they were law-abiding gun owners — simply because officials declared a state of emergency in the face of violence or unrest.
That ends today.
“This is about restoring the rights of law-abiding citizens at the very moment they may need them most,” said Rep. Monique Miller (R-Palm Bay), who championed the bill. “It was absurd that during a riot or civil disturbance, when personal safety is most at risk, Florida law actually told people to disarm. That’s not just unconstitutional — it’s dangerous.”
Under previous state statute, local emergencies triggered automatic bans on firearm sales and public possession, regardless of whether the individuals were licensed or responsible gun owners. HB 6025 strips that language from the books.
Miller added, “During times of chaos, law enforcement might not be able to respond quickly. Citizens shouldn’t have to choose between obeying an outdated restriction and protecting their family.”
The bill sailed through the Florida legislature with strong support and landed on DeSantis’ desk amid growing calls nationwide to strengthen constitutional protections — not weaken them — during times of crisis.
Gun rights advocates hailed the move as a crucial step toward ensuring the government can’t suspend fundamental rights when it’s convenient.
“Emergencies don’t suspend the Constitution,” said a spokesperson for Florida Carry, a leading pro-2A organization. “We applaud Governor DeSantis and the legislature for standing up for Florida’s gun owners and affirming that our rights don’t disappear when the sirens go off.”
While DeSantis also signed bills strengthening penalties for animal abuse, it was the repeal of the emergency gun restrictions that drew the loudest cheers from Second Amendment supporters.
“This is a common-sense correction to an overreach that had no business being law in the first place,” one conservative commentator posted online. “In a crisis, I’ll take a responsibly armed neighbor over an unarmed victim any day.”
With HB 6025 now the law of the land, Floridians can rest easier knowing their right to bear arms won’t vanish the moment local officials declare a crisis.
