Florida AG says Tradition HOA will stop enforcing firearm ban

A controversial firearm ban in Tradition is no longer being enforced after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said the homeowners association agreed to abandon the policy following a legal challenge from the state.The announcement, made Wednesday night, marks the latest development in a weekslong dispute over whether the association could prohibit residents from carrying firearms in common areas of the community.In a statement posted on social media, Uthmeier said the association had agreed to stop enforcing what he called an “unlawful firearm ban in common areas.” He added that his office is working to ensure the change becomes permanent.The dispute began last month when the homeowners association adopted a policy prohibiting both open and concealed carry in community common areas.The attorney general’s office quickly challenged the rule, arguing it violated Florida law and constitutional protections related to firearm ownership and carry rights. State officials warned the association it could face legal action if the policy was not rescinded by a specified deadline.That deadline has since passed, and Uthmeier says the ban is no longer being enforced.The decision has drawn mixed reactions from residents.”I don’t agree with it,” resident Beverly Gammon said. “There are too many people that are compromised, and to be able to walk around freely with a gun in your pocket is — I don’t think it’s a healthy thing.”Peter Law said he would have preferred the restriction remain in place.”I would feel safer, myself, with a gun ban,” Law said.Resident Maggy Camrdella expressed a similar view.”When you have a gun at home, OK, but not on the street,” she said.Others said their primary concern is ensuring the rules are applied consistently moving forward.”I’m just not a gun person. I don’t think we should even have the guns,” resident Edward Sikorski said. “But whatever they rule, let’s just do it and make it uniform.”Uthmeier said the state is prepared to take further action if the firearm ban is reinstated in the future.The homeowners association has not publicly commented on the attorney general’s announcement. A request for comment was made Thursday, and a response had not been received as of publication.Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. —

A controversial firearm ban in Tradition is no longer being enforced after Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier said the homeowners association agreed to abandon the policy following a legal challenge from the state.

The announcement, made Wednesday night, marks the latest development in a weekslong dispute over whether the association could prohibit residents from carrying firearms in common areas of the community.

In a statement posted on social media, Uthmeier said the association had agreed to stop enforcing what he called an “unlawful firearm ban in common areas.” He added that his office is working to ensure the change becomes permanent.

The dispute began last month when the homeowners association adopted a policy prohibiting both open and concealed carry in community common areas.

The attorney general’s office quickly challenged the rule, arguing it violated Florida law and constitutional protections related to firearm ownership and carry rights. State officials warned the association it could face legal action if the policy was not rescinded by a specified deadline.

That deadline has since passed, and Uthmeier says the ban is no longer being enforced.

The decision has drawn mixed reactions from residents.

“I don’t agree with it,” resident Beverly Gammon said. “There are too many people that are compromised, and to be able to walk around freely with a gun in your pocket is — I don’t think it’s a healthy thing.”

Peter Law said he would have preferred the restriction remain in place.

“I would feel safer, myself, with a gun ban,” Law said.

Resident Maggy Camrdella expressed a similar view.

“When you have a gun at home, OK, but not on the street,” she said.

Others said their primary concern is ensuring the rules are applied consistently moving forward.

“I’m just not a gun person. I don’t think we should even have the guns,” resident Edward Sikorski said. “But whatever they rule, let’s just do it and make it uniform.”

Uthmeier said the state is prepared to take further action if the firearm ban is reinstated in the future.

The homeowners association has not publicly commented on the attorney general’s announcement. A request for comment was made Thursday, and a response had not been received as of publication.

Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25

Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.