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<\/a>\nCourt decisions pave way for change in gun laws across the state<\/p>\n
Florida\u2019s gun rules are shifting after a series of court decisions impacted long-standing state restrictions.<\/p>\n
Florida Attorney General James Uthmier, not GOP lawmakers, is working to pave the way.<\/p>\n
There is a series of decisions in cases where Uthmeier, a Second Amendment advocate, chose not to defend some of Florida\u2019s existing gun restrictions.<\/p>\n
As a result, Florida is now moving toward fewer limits on who can carry a gun, along with fewer limits on how they can purchase or carry those firearms.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo here in Florida, we\u2019re not going to violate the Second Amendment. These are important rights. The Founders put it. Number two, I think for good reason,\u201d Uthmeier said.<\/p>\n
Notably, these changes are coming through the courts rather than from Florida lawmakers.<\/p>\n
Going through the courts on this issue is a strategy of at least one gun rights group in the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur lawmakers claim they\u2019re pro-gun. They never pass anything pro-gun. That\u2019s why we, as a collective community, gun owners have been challenging these anti-gun laws through the courts. And we\u2019re winning,\u201d Luis Valdes with Gun Owners of America said.<\/p>\n
Perhaps the most visible change in Florida is open carry. Concealed carry is now opening up to young adults as well, the result of a judge\u2019s order.<\/p>\n
\u201cRestricting 18- to 20-year-olds \u2026 from rights to self-defense would make the Second Amendment a \u2018second-class\u2019 right,\u201d Florida Judge Spencer D. Levine wrote in his opinion.<\/p>\n
Most recently, the state opted not to defend Florida\u2019s three-day wait period to purchase a firearm.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s despite Florida voters in 1990 approving that gun-buying requirement for handguns.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur esteemed attorney general, who\u2019s never been elected, who\u2019s never been about in the ballot, has basically unilaterally decided that he is no longer going to defend certain laws because he has decided that he doesn\u2019t have to or that he doesn\u2019t want to,\u201d State Rep. Dan Daley said.<\/p>\n
Pro 2A group Gun Owners of America says there are more challenges to come.<\/p>\n
The group says it\u2019s looking to go after the ban on bump stocks and campus carry, plus Florida\u2019s red flag laws too.<\/p>\n
DeSantis vetoes e-bike safety bill<\/p>\n
Gov. Ron DeSantis issued his first bill vetoes late Thursday evening.<\/p>\n
One of the bills the governor rejected received a significant degree of bipartisan support.<\/p>\n