Highlights:
The Average Firearm Mortality Rate Was Higher Under DeSantis Than Scott. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
|
Administration |
Year |
Firearm Mortality Rate |
Total Firearm Deaths |
|
DeSantis |
2020 |
13.7 |
3,041 |
|
2019 |
12.7 |
2,872 |
|
|
Scott |
2018 |
12.9 |
2,902 |
|
2017 |
12.4 |
2,724 |
|
|
2016 |
12.6 |
2,704 |
|
|
2015 |
12.0 |
2,559 |
|
|
2014 |
11.5 |
2,410 |
[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed 2/26/23]
Everytown: “Florida Has The 19th-Highest Rate Of Gun Violence In The U.S.” According to Everytown for Gun Safety, “In an average year, 2,849 people die and 5,267 are wounded by guns in Florida. Florida has the 19th-highest rate of gun violence in the US.” [Everytown for Gun Safety, July 2022]
Everytown: Gun Deaths Increased 15% From 2011 To 2020. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, “In Florida, the rate of gun deaths increased 15% from 2011 to 2020.” [Everytown for Gun Safety, July 2022]
Gun Violence Cost Florida Taxpayers $875.9 Million Each Year. According to Everytown for Gun Safety, “Florida has the 25th-highest societal cost of gun violence in the US at $1,878 per resident each year. Gun deaths and injuries cost Florida $40.3 billion each year, of which $875.9 million is paid by taxpayers.” [Everytown for Gun Safety, July 2022]
DeSantis Said That It Is Very Rare That Gun Control Laws Affect Criminals But Mostly Affect Law-Abiding Citizens. According to the Huffington Post, “At a town hall meeting in late January, DeSantis had expressed his skepticism on gun control laws, telling the audience, ‘Very rarely do firearms restrictions affect criminals. They really only affect law-abiding citizens.’” [Huffington Post, 2/21/13]
DeSantis Said That Gun Control Laws Would Turn “Law-Abiding Citizens Into Felons.” According to the News-Journal, “Gun control came up early and often during the town hall. The Barden’s heard DeSantis say from the onset he had no use for bills proposing a ban on high-capacity magazines for semi-automatic handguns and rifles. The congressman said such a law would turn ‘law-abiding citizens into felons.” [News-Journal, 2/19/13]
DeSantis: If You Infringe On The 2nd Amendment “It Ends Up Falling On Law-Abiding Citizens, But The Criminal Is Still Able To Obtain Weapons.” While appearing at The League of Women Voters – St. Augustine Record forum, “Question No. 8. […] Congress had at one time outlawed the type of assault weapon used in the Aurora shootings. Now that they are legal, would you favor a law, as some Republican commentators favor, that bans on 100-round drum style cartridges for assault weapons, and restricts them to 10 rounds? […] DeSantis: He would not favor any restrictions. ‘I think we have a Second Amendment right to bear arms, and if you try to infringe that, it ends up falling on law-abiding citizens, but the criminal is still able to obtain weapons.” [League of Women Voters – St. Augustine Record forum, 7/30/12]
DeSantis Said That Putting Limits On Assault Weapons “Is Not The Right Way To Go About” Gun Control. According to the St. Augustine Record, “One man asked DeSantis what his thoughts were on the gun ban bill proposed by U.S. Sen. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., which seeks to put limits on assault weapons. ‘To me, that is not the right way to go about it,’ he said. ‘I support the Second Amendment, and I ran saying I believe it confers the rights to individuals to bear arms, and I think her bill runs afoul of that. When you start talking about banning guns that are in broad circulation, not only does that violate the Constitution, but if you read Keller vs. the District of Columbia, Justice (Antonin) Scalia talked about how if a gun is something that’s in society as a whole, then that by definition is going to have Second Amendment protection.” [St. Augustine Record, 1/31/13]
DeSantis Alleged That Efforts To Ban Bump Stocks Was A “Ploy” By Nancy Pelosi To Do “Way More Than This.” According to a Fox News transcript, “KILMEADE: All right. And this whole bump stock thing, this device that allows a semiautomatic to become an automatic -- there seems to be bipartisan support to get rid of it, make it illegal. Does Ron DeSantis subscribe to that? DESANTIS: Well, I haven’t come out and -- and advocated legislative changes yet because I want to get more facts on this. I mean, you know, the NRA put out a statement saying, you know, Does this convert something to an automatic? And there’s pretty clear statutes on how an automatic weapon is treated under our law. But I can tell you it’s not anything I ever did, like, when I was in the military, to bump fire stuff. But there are a whole bunch of ways you can do that apart from just getting that plastic Academy Award. So I think we need to get the facts and then let’s see. I mean, a lot of the Democrats who are coming out don’t know anything about firearms and had never even heard of this before this week, and now they want to do it. And I think Nancy Pelosi tipped a hand. She said, Look, we want to do way more than this. And so I think on their side of the aisle, a guy like me who defends the 2nd Amendment, I’m skeptical of their motive.” [Fox News Network, 10/5/17]
DeSantis Opposed Bills Proposing A Ban On High-Capacity Magazines. According to the St. Augustine Record, “DeSantis, an ardent supporter of the Second Amendment, said he would be opposed to bills proposing a ban on high-capacity magazines. ‘You have millions and millions of those magazines already out there,’ DeSantis said. ‘If you make those illegal, then you’re creating felons all across the country, and I don’t think that’s good policy at all.’” [St. Augustine Record, 2/21/13]
June 2018: DeSantis Said He Would Have Vetoed A Gun Control Measure Passed In The Wake Of The Parkland School Shooting. According to the Sun Sentinel, “Putnam and his primary challenger U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis have taken issue with parts of the legislation passed by Florida state lawmakers after the Parkland massacre. Along with raising the age to purchase a rifle, the new law extends the statewide three-day waiting period for handgun purchases to include long guns and bans bump stocks that allow firearms to perform like automatic weapons. It also made it easier for police to seize the guns of people suspected of being dangerous, allowed some school employees to be armed and appropriated $400 million for school safety and mental health programs. While DeSantis said he would have vetoed the legislation, Putnam said he would have worked with the Legislature to get the age restriction removed from the bill.” [Sun Sentinel, 6/7/18]
DeSantis Said That Florida’s School Safety Bill “Scapegoated Law-Abiding Citizens In Terms Of Their Second Amendment Rights.” According to the Orlando Sentinel, “Asked about the state’s response to the mass shooting at Broward County’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, DeSantis said he would have approached a school-safety bill, which included new restrictions on gun sales, ‘differently because I think it scapegoated law-abiding citizens in terms of their Second Amendment rights.’ DeSantis said the system failed at the local and federal levels to protect the 17 students and staff killed and wounded in the Valentine’s Day shooting. If he were governor, DeSantis said he would have removed the Broward County sheriff, and he said FBI members who received two calls about the alleged shooter prior to the incident and ‘didn’t do anything’ should be fired. ‘They have not been fired. How do you have no accountability and expect to get good results?’ he said.” [Orlando Sentinel, 5/6/18]
DeSantis: “I’m Disappointed That The Florida Legislature Is Rushing To Restrict The Rights Of Law-Abiding Citizens.” According to a statement by DeSantis via the Tampa Bay Times, “‘Given that the issues of bureaucratic incompetence, school safety and mental health demand immediate attention, I'm disappointed that the Florida Legislature is rushing to restrict the rights of law-abiding citizens. When dealing with a right that is specifically enumerated in the Constitution, blanket restrictions that diminish individual rights are suspect. Better to focus on denying firearms to dangerous individuals, which avoids infringing on constitutional rights and is also more likely to be effective. The goal should be to keep our students safe, bring accountability to the officials and institutions that failed, and protect the rights of Floridians.’” [Tampa Bay Times, 3/1/18]
DeSantis Accused Democrats Of ‘Demagoguing’ Gun Owners And Focusing On Law Abiding Citizens Rather Than Criminals
[Video] DeSantis Accused The Communities Pushing For Gun Control Legislation Post-Parkland Of “Demagoguing Gun Owners.” According to video of DeSantis’ Columbia County Meet and Greet, “DESANTIS: We need to make sure we’re defending our Second Amendment. [Applause] And you look at what happened down there in Parkland, with how those authorities, the locals, the school district, the FBI, they let that community down. […] What I see down there with those local authorities in Broward County is that nobody should be held accountable. And all we’re going to do is demagogue gun owners.” [Ron DeSantis Columbia County Meet and Greet, 6/23/18]
DeSantis Accused Democrats Of “Going After Law-Abiding Citizens And […] Not Focusing The Attention On These Nuts Like They Should Be” After The Parkland Shooting. According to video of DeSantis with Matt Gaetz in Valparaiso, “DESANTIS: We have got to stand firm in favor of the Second Amendment. [Applause] You see these Democrats, I mean, they are very aggressive right now and really wanting to undermine Second Amendment freedoms. I think it’s a precarious time given how bold that they’re being. And they’re really not making any bones about it. I mean, they’re going after law-abiding citizens and they’re not focusing the attention on these nuts like they should be. In fact, I’m the one who said after the Parkland thing I would’ve removed the sheriff down there.” [Ron DeSantis with Matt Gaetz in Valparaiso, 6/9/18]
DeSantis Opposed A Provision In The Bill Raising The Age Of Purchase For The Purchase Of Semiautomatic Weapons From 18 To 21
Argued The Legislation Conflicted With An Enumerated Bill Of Rights
DeSantis On His Opposition To The Age Provisions In Florida’s New Gun Safety Bill: “We Wouldn’t Say If You're 18 To 20 You Don’t Have A 4th Amendment Right And Police Can Search Your House Without A Warrant.” According to WJCT, “The NRA is suing Florida over its new gun restrictions and Florida’s gubernatorial candidates are weighing in. Shortly after Governor Rick Scott signed off on a three-day mandatory waiting period and minimum age requirement for all gun purchases of 21, Florida Republican Congressman Ron DeSantis took to Fox News. ‘We wouldn’t say if you're 18 to 20 you don’t have a 4th Amendment right and police can search your house without a warrant; We wouldn’t say they can seize your property without just compensation and the 5th Amendment doesn’t apply. So I think that provision is problematic," he said.” [WJCT, 3/12/18]
WJCT: “DeSantis Wouldn’t Say Whether He Would Have Signed The Measure, But Argued The Increased Purchase Age Goes A Step Too Far.” According to WJCT, “The NRA is suing Florida over its new gun restrictions and Florida’s gubernatorial candidates are weighing in. Shortly after Governor Rick Scott signed off on a three-day mandatory waiting period and minimum age requirement for all gun purchases of 21, Florida Republican Congressman Ron DeSantis took to Fox News. […] DeSantis wouldn’t say whether he would have signed the measure, but argued the increased purchase age goes a step too far. And that’s something fellow Republican hopeful and state Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam agrees with.” [WJCT, 3/12/18]
DeSantis On Florida’s New Gun Law: “You Have An Enumerated Right In The Bill Of Rights, There's Really No Precedent To Just Do A Blanket Ban On Certain Adults.” According to the Associated Press via the U.S. News and World Report, “The political and legal fallout from Florida Gov. Rick Scott's decision to sign a sweeping gun bill into law following a school massacre was nearly immediate as the National Rifle Association filed a lawsuit to stop it and political candidates in both parties criticized it. Republican U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis, who's running for Florida governor as a champion of gun rights, went on Fox News late Friday night to criticize the law, which raises the minimum age to buy rifles from 18 to 21; extends a three-day waiting period for handgun purchases to include long guns; and bans bump stocks, which allow guns to mimic fully automatic fire. ‘I think when you start getting into some of the blanket restrictions on people's Second Amendment rights, I think that that is constitutionally vulnerable. ... I mean think about it, you have an enumerated right in the Bill of Rights, there's really no precedent to just do a blanket ban on certain adults,’ DeSantis said on the show.” [Associated Press, 3/10/18]
March 2018: DeSantis Said That Changing The Purchase Age Would Not Be Effective At Preventing Gun Violence
DeSantis On Florida’s School Safety Legislation After Parkland: “I Think When You Start Getting Into Some Of The Blanket Restrictions On People’s Second Amendment Rights, I Think That That Is Constitutionally Vulnerable.” According to a Fox News transcript, CHAFFETZ: So the governor signed a bill. Would you, if you were elected governor, would you have signed that bill? DESANTIS: I think I would have approached it a little bit different. I think certainly the school security I think is long overdue. […] I think when you start getting into some of the blanket restrictions on people’s second amendment rights, I think that that is constitutionally vulnerable. I think those lawsuits are probably going to succeed. I mean, think about it. You have an enumerated right in the Bill of Rights. There is really no precedent to just do a blanket ban on certain adults. We wouldn’t say that if you are 18 to 20 you don’t have a fourth amendment right and police could search your house without a warrant. We wouldn’t say that they could seize your property without just compensation if the fifth amendment doesn’t apply.” [Fox News, 3/20/18]
DeSantis Statement On Florida Legislation Raising The Age For Purchasing Semi-Automatic Weapons: “Better To Focus On Denying Firearms To Dangerous Individuals, Which Avoids Infringing On Constitutional Rights And Is Also More Likely To Be Effective.” According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, “DeSantis has stayed away from the media circuses in Parkland and Tallahassee, releasing only a written statement critical of the FBI and Broward County sheriff, calling for more funding for mental health services, defending efforts to harden school security and criticizing lawmakers’ move to raise the legal age for the purchase of semiautomatic weapons from 18 to 21. ‘When dealing with a right that is specifically enumerated in the Constitution, blanket restrictions that diminish individual rights are suspect,’ the statement reads. ‘Better to focus on denying firearms to dangerous individuals, which avoids infringing on constitutional rights and is also more likely to be effective.’” [Daytona Beach News-Journal, 3/10/18]
DeSantis Signed Constitutional Carry Bill Into Law, Which Would Allow People To Carry Guns Without A Permit Or Any Training. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Gov. RON DESANTIS on Monday signed into law a bill that lets people carry guns without a permit and without any training. John Velleco, executive vice president of Gun Owners of America, said the governor signed the bill Monday morning in the Capitol, in front of a group of about 20 people. The bill, which will take effect on July 1, has faced attacks on both sides of the gun debate. People from gun safety advocacy groups have said allowing people to carry concealed guns in public without training, and removing an additional background check, will make the public less safe.” [Tampa Bay Times, 4/3/23]
DeSantis: “We’re For Constitutional Carry.” According to DeSantis at Framework for Freedom Presser, “DESANTIS: We’re for constitutional carry.” [Framework for Freedom Presser via Twitter, 2/1/23]
DeSantis Pushed For Constitutional Carry And Said “What You Don't Want Is To Have A Government Bureaucrat Stymie Your Ability To Exercise Your Constitutional Rights,” According to the Tallahassee Democrat, “‘Florida doesn't have the same strict requirements as New York for getting a concealed weapons permit, so the decision doesn't impact the state directly. Instead, DeSantis said ‘in Florida I think the debate has really been on, not necessarily open carry as much as what they call constitutional carry.’ DeSantis has pledged to sign a constitutional carry bill, which would allow people to carry weapons without a license, before he leaves office. ‘What you don't want is to have a government bureaucrat stymie your ability to exercise your constitutional rights,’ DeSantis said.” [Tallahassee Democrat, 6/23/22]
White House Criticized DeSantis As “Shameful” For Signing Constitutional Carry Bill
White House Criticized DeSantis For Signing Constitutional Carry Bill. According to the Washington Post, “The White House on Monday sharply criticized Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for signing into law a bill that makes Florida the 26th state to allow people to carry concealed weapons without a permit. DeSantis (R) signed the bill in a private ceremony Monday. ‘Constitutional Carry is in the books,’ he said in a brief news release afterward. In a subsequent statement, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre alluded to last week’s shooting at a private Christian school in Nashville in which six people were killed, including three 9-year-old students.” [Washington Post, 4/3/23]
White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Said DeSantis’ Signing The Bill Was “Shameful” Following The Nashville School Shooting, Adding, “This Is The Opposite Of Commonsense Gun Safety.” According to the Washington Post, “‘It is shameful that so soon after another tragic school shooting, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a permitless concealed carry bill behind closed doors, which eliminates the need to get a license to carry a concealed weapon,’ Jean-Pierre said. ‘This is the opposite of commonsense gun safety.’” [Washington Post, 4/3/23]
Father Of Parkland Shooting Victim Called DeSantis “Pathetic” And “Small-Minded” Following Bill Signing
Father Of Parkland Shooting Victim Fred Guttenberg Called DeSantis A “Weak, Pathetic, Small-Minded Individual” Following Bill Signing. According to Business Insider, “Fred Guttenberg, the parent of Parkland shooting victim Jaime Guttenberg, told the AP that DeSantis was a ‘weak, pathetic, small-minded individual’ for signing the bill. Jaime Guttenberg, then 14, was killed in the 2018 mass shooting at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. ‘I will chase him down across the state as well as possibly across the country,’ Fred Guttenberg told the AP. ‘Ron DeSantis today put his signature to a bill that guarantees there will be more Jaimes.’” [Business Insider, 4/4/23]
Guttenberg To DeSantis: “The Inevitable Next Shooting Because Of This Will Be Because Of You.” According to Business Insider, “‘Ron, your weakness won't make you less responsible. The inevitable next shooting because of this will be because of you,’ Guttenberg separately wrote on Facebook on Monday.” [Business Insider, 4/4/23]
Anti-Gun Safety Activists Criticized The Bill For Arguing The Bill Did Not “Go Far Enough” Because The Bill Still Prohibited Open Carry In Some Public Areas. According to the Tampa Bay Times, “Second Amendment advocates have criticized the bill for not going far enough, saying that without allowing people to openly carry guns in public, the bill isn’t a true ‘constitutional carry’ measure as DeSantis guaranteed and as the Legislature has hailed. […] DeSantis has said he supports open carry, but legislative leaders remained firm on continuing Florida’s prohibition against open carry in nearly all circumstances.” [Tampa Bay Times, 4/3/23]
DeSantis Praised The Supreme Court Decision To Strike Down A New York Law That Restricted Concealed Weapons In Public. According to the Tallahassee Democrat, “Gov. Ron DeSantis praised a controversial U.S. Supreme Court decision that strikes down a New York law that restricted people from carrying concealed weapons in public. ‘I think it was definitely the right decision,’ DeSantis said Thursday during a press conference in Broward County focused on efforts to fight Alzheimer's disease. […] DeSantis praised Thomas. ‘From what I have seen, I think it was a great decision by Justice Thomas,’ the governor said. ‘Very rarely does he do anything that is not correct. I think he’s been a fantastic justice.’” [Tallahassee Democrat, 6/23/22]
2021: DeSantis Signed Into Law Legislation That Allowed Permit-Holders To Carry A Concealed Firearm In Religious Institutions, Regardless If The Institutions Have A School. In June 2021, according to the Florida Senate, DeSantis signed into law House Bill 252, which “addresse[d] the possession of a concealed weapon or firearm for defensive or other lawful purposes on property used by a religious institution that is co-located with a school. Under existing law, a person who has a concealed weapon or firearm license may legally carry a firearm inside a church, synagogue, or other religious institution. However, the person is generally prohibited from carrying a firearm on property that is located in an area where firearms are prohibited, such as a school. Under the bill, a person who has a concealed weapon or firearm license may carry a concealed weapon or firearm on the property of a religious institution regardless of whether the property is also used as a school. The bill further state[d] that it ‘does not limit the private property rights of a church, synagogue, or other religious institution to exercise control over property that the church, synagogue, or other religious institution owns, rents, leases, borrows, or lawfully uses.’ Accordingly, religious institutions and owners of property borrowed or used by a religious institution may continue to regulate and prohibit firearms on their own property.” [Florida Senate, Accessed on 9/29/22; Florida Senate, H.B. 259]
2018: Gun-Free School Zones Were Mandated Following The Parkland Shooting, Which Prohibited Firearms On School Property, Regardless If The School Was Private Or Whether The School Property Was Leased To Another Entity. According to the Florida Phoenix, “Gun-free school zones were mandated by state law in 2018 after the shooting massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. The law prohibits firearms on school property, regardless whether the school is privately owned or whether the property was leased to another entity for another purpose.” [Florida Phoenix, 7/2/21]
[Video] DeSantis: “A School Should Not Be Advertised As A, Quote, ‘Gun-Free Zone.” According to an interview on Fox News, “CHAFFETZ: Now, one of the provisions in there is to – in Florida and it’s available in other states, for instance Utah – there are teachers and school officials who can carry weapons. Are you in favor of that? Do you think that would help? DESANTIS: I would not mandate any teachers to carry or administrators, but what I would do is say a school should not be advertised as a, quote, ‘gun-free zone.’” [Fox News, 3/10/18]
DeSantis Called For Allowing Concealed Carry Permit Holders To Carry Weapons In School Districts, Said It Would Serve As A “Deterrent.” According to a Fox Business transcript, “BARTIROMO: Do you want to see teachers armed? MCCARTHY: I think, from a perspective, not force teachers to be armed. But if somebody has the concealed carry permit and others, and trained? I want to see it. (END VIDEO CLIP) BARTIROMO: What’s your take, congressman? DESANTIS: Well, I think White House approached this. Well, if you read the proposal, it doesn’t mandate federal solutions, it’s providing support for school districts across the country to be able to protect their students in the way that makes most sense for school districts. And so, they are offering training for personnel. So, in a place like Florida, I think, if you are a concealed carry permit, I don’t think should be a gun- free zone where you’re not allowed to exercise that right, and I think it does serve as a deterrent to people if you beef up school security, visible security, if you harden the schools.” [Fox Business, 3/12/18]
DeSantis Supported Concealed Carry On School Campuses After Parkland
DeSantis: “Those Who Possess A Concealed Carry License And Are So Inclined Should Not Be Barred From Doing So On Campus.” According to a statement by DeSantis via the Tampa Bay Times, “‘Parkland demonstrated the need to provide adequate security at Florida's schools. I support Governor Scott's initiative to improve safety and harden these schools. While I don't think any teacher or administrator should be required to carry a firearm, I believe that those who possess a concealed carry license and are so inclined should not be barred from doing so on campus. What is more, I think it's important to establish a program so that we can enlist the help of retired military and law enforcement personnel to ensure that our students are safe while they learn.’” [Tampa Bay Times, 3/1/18]
DeSantis Called For Allowing Concealed Carry Permit Holders To Carry Weapons In School Districts, Said It Would Serve As A “Deterrent.” According to a Fox Business transcript, “BARTIROMO: Do you want to see teachers armed? MCCARTHY: I think, from a perspective, not force teachers to be armed. But if somebody has the concealed carry permit and others, and trained? I want to see it. (END VIDEO CLIP) BARTIROMO: What’s your take, congressman? DESANTIS: Well, I think White House approached this. Well, if you read the proposal, it doesn’t mandate federal solutions, it’s providing support for school districts across the country to be able to protect their students in the way that makes most sense for school districts. And so, they are offering training for personnel. So, in a place like Florida, I think, if you are a concealed carry permit, I don’t think should be a gun- free zone where you’re not allowed to exercise that right, and I think it does serve as a deterrent to people if you beef up school security, visible security, if you harden the schools.” [Fox Business, 3/12/18]
2017: DeSantis Voted To Require Concealed Carry Reciprocity Between The States. In December 2017, DeSantis voted for legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “permit[ted] any individual authorized by their home state to carry a concealed handgun to also carry that concealed weapon in any other state that permits the carrying of concealed weapons. The bill would [have] require[d] a twice-annual certification by all federal agencies, federal courts and state governments, in coordination with the Department of Justice, to verify that all relevant data has been reported and uploaded to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System regarding individuals who are not eligible to purchase firearms.” The vote was on passage. The House adopted the bill by a vote of 231 to 198. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 663, 12/6/17; Congressional Quarterly, 12/6/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 38]
2017: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Restricting A Proposed Concealed Carry Reciprocity Bill From Applying To Those Who Have Been Convicted Of A Violent Crime Within The Last Three Years If The State Already Prohibited The Person From Doing So. In December 2017, DeSantis effectively voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] a person who has been convicted of a violent crime within the preceding three years from possessing or carrying a concealed handgun in a state where that conviction would otherwise prohibit that individual from doing so.” The underlying bill would have, also according to Congressional Quarterly, “permit[ted] any individual authorized by their home state to carry a concealed handgun to also carry that concealed weapon in any other state that permits the carrying of concealed weapons.” The vote was on a motion to recommit. The House rejected the motion by a vote of 190 to 236. [House Vote 662, 12/6/17; Congressional Quarterly, 12/6/17; Congressional Quarterly, 12/6/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 38]
2018: DeSantis Voted Against The $1.3 Trillion FY 2018 Omnibus Spending Deal Which Raised Spending By $138 Billion Over FY 2017 Levels; Legislation Included STOP School Violence Act, Which Authorized Grants For Training And School Safety Initiatives And Metal Detectors And Other Physical School Improvements. In March 2018, DeSantis voted against the FY 2018 Omnibus spending bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Combined, the spending measures would provide about $1.3 trillion in discretionary spending, with $1.2 trillion subject to discretionary spending caps, and $78.1 billion designated as Overseas Contingency Operations funds. The measure's spending levels are consistent with the increased defense and non-defense budget caps set by the two-year budget deal agreed to last month. That agreement increased the FY 2018 defense cap by $80 billion and the non-defense cap by $63 billion. Given that the previous caps were set to reduce overall discretionary spending by $5 billion, the net increase provided by the omnibus is $138 billion over the FY 2017 level.” The vote was on the motion to concur in the Senate Amendment with an Amendment. The House agreed to the motion, thereby passing the bill, by a vote of 256 to 167. The Senate later agreed to the legislation, sending it to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 127, 3/22/18; Congressional Quarterly, 3/22/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1625]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST ADDING $19.5 MILLION TO THE NATIONAL INSTANT CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK SYSTEM
2014: DeSantis Voted Against Adding $19.5 Million To Bolster The National Instant Criminal Background Check System’s Ability To Prevent Those Barred From Buying A Gun From Doing So. In May 2014, DeSantis voted against an amendment to the FY 2015 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations bill that, according to Congressional Quarterly, “increased by $19.5 million the amount provided for the National Instant Criminal Background Check System to upgrade criminal mental health records, in order to provide additional resources for states to submit additional records of prohibited firearm purchasers. That increase was offset by reductions to various other accounts, including $1 million from Commerce Department management, $3 million from Justice sharing information technology, $5.5 million from Federal Prison System buildings and facilities, and $10 million from National Science Foundation agency operations and award management.” The House adopted the amendment by a vote of 260 to 145. The House subsequently passed the underlying bill, which died in the Senate. [House Vote 249, 5/29/14; Congressional Quarterly, 6/4/14; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 704; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4660]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST AN OMNIBUS BILL WHICH INCLUDED THE FIX NICS ACT
2018: DeSantis Voted Against The $1.3 Trillion FY 2018 Omnibus Spending Deal Which Included The Fix NICS Act, Which Would Attempt To Better The National Instant Criminal Background Check System. In March 2018, Ron DeSantis voted against the FY 2018 Omnibus spending bill. According to Congressional Quarterly, “Combined, the spending measures would provide about $1.3 trillion in discretionary spending, with $1.2 trillion subject to discretionary spending caps, and $78.1 billion designated as Overseas Contingency Operations funds. The measure's spending levels are consistent with the increased defense and non-defense budget caps set by the two-year budget deal agreed to last month. That agreement increased the FY 2018 defense cap by $80 billion and the non-defense cap by $63 billion. Given that the previous caps were set to reduce overall discretionary spending by $5 billion, the net increase provided by the omnibus is $138 billion over the FY 2017 level.” The vote was on the motion to concur in the Senate Amendment with an Amendment. The House agreed to the motion, thereby passing the bill, by a vote of 256 to 167. The Senate later agreed to the legislation, sending it to the president, who signed it into law. [House Vote 127, 3/22/18; Congressional Quarterly, 3/22/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1625]
2017: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit The VA From Determining A Person Is Mentally Incompetent In Order To Be Added To The National Instant Criminal Background Check System. In March 2017, DeSantis voted for legislation that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “prohibit[ed] a Veterans Affairs Department determination that an individual is mentally incompetent from being used as basis for that individual’s inclusion in the National Instant Criminal Background Check System, which would thereby prevent the individual from purchasing a gun. Under the measure, an individual could not [have] be[en] considered to be mentally defective without a judicial authority's finding that the individual poses a danger to himself or herself or others.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the legislation by a vote of 240 to 175. The Senate took no substantive action on the legislation. [House Vote 169, 3/16/17; Congressional Quarterly, 3/16/17; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1181]
2017: DeSantis Voted To Disapprove A Rule Adding Individuals Who Cannot Manage Their Own Finances, Often Due To Mental Impairment, To The National Criminal Background Check System. In February 2017, DeSantis voted for disapproving a rule preventing certain people deemed mentally ill from obtaining weapons via the Congressional Review Act. According to Congressional Quarterly, “This resolution disapproves the rule submitted by the Social Security Administration relating to Implementation of the NICS Improvement Amendments Act of 2007, which was published in the Federal Register on Dec. 19, 2016. It provides that the rule would have no force or effect.” The vote was on the legislation. The House agreed to the legislation by a vote of 235 to 180. President Trump later signed the legislation into law. [House Vote 77, 2/2/17; Congressional Quarterly, 1/27/17; Congressional Actions, H. J. Res. 40]
DeSantis: “The Issue Of Mental Illness Has Been A Recurring Theme Among Mass Shooters In Recent Years And We Need More Tools With Which To Deal With This.” According to a statement by DeSantis via the Tampa Bay Times, “‘The issue of mental illness has been a recurring theme among mass shooters in recent years and we need more tools with which to deal with this stubborn fact. Anyone who is a danger to themselves or to society should not be permitted to wreak havoc in our communities, be it with a firearm or via other means.’” [Tampa Bay Times, 3/1/18]
[Video] DeSantis Called For Institutionalizing People Like The Parkland School Shooter. According to video of DeSantis at the Phyllis Schlafly Eagles Lunch, “DESANTIS: There are things in mental health, don’t get me wrong. But, I’m skeptical that this guy, that if he just got the right mental health counseling would have been OK. I think some of these people, I don’t think you can deal with it just like that. So, I think what needs to happen is there’s got to be a lawful way, you’d have to change laws, probably at the state level. But somebody who has had the police come that much, who’s threatening shootings, who’s doing that, if they are a danger to society they should be institutionalized. They shouldn’t wait until they do something.” [Ron DeSantis at Phyllis Schlafly Eagles Lunch Naples, 2/19/18]
DESANTIS EFFECTIVELY VOTED AGAINST CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION TO FIX THE GUN SHOW LOOPHOLE
2018: DeSantis Effectively Voted To Block Consideration Of Legislation That Would Have Expanded Background Checks To Cover Gun Show, Internet And Classified Sales. In February 2018, DeSantis effectively voted to block legislation that would have, according to a press release from Reps. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Peter King (R-NY), “expand[ed] the existing background check system to cover all commercial firearm sales, including those at gun shows, over the internet or in classified ads while providing reasonable exceptions for family and friend transfers. […] The legislation also supports the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners. It provides reasonable exceptions for firearms transfers between family members, friends, and hunting buddies. Under the bill, background checks would continue to be conducted in the same manner as they have for more than 40 years. The bill also help strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) by incentivizing states to improve reporting of criminals and the dangerously mentally ill and by directing future grant funds toward better record-sharing systems. The bill will reduce federal funds to states that do not comply.” The vote was on a motion to table the appeal of the ruling of the chair. The House adopted the motion, essentially killing the legislation, by a vote of 228 to 184. [House Vote 83, 2/27/18; Reps. Thompson and King Press Release, 11/3/17; Congressional Record, 2/27/18; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4240]
2016: DeSantis Effectively Voted To Block A Vote On A Bill That Would Have Expanded Background Checks To Online And Gun Show Purchases. In July 2016, DeSantis effectively voted to block legislation that would have, according to a floor speech by Rep. Michael Thompson (D-CA), “close[d] dangerous loopholes in our background check system that allow criminals, domestic abusers, and the dangerously mentally ill to bypass a background check and purchase guns online, at gun shows, or through classified ads.” The vote was on a motion to table an appeal of the ruling of the chair sustaining a point of order against a motion to recommit. The overall motion to recommit would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “report[ed] the bill back to the House with an amendment that would replace the measure with the text of a bill related to background checks for firearm purchases and transfers.” The House agreed to the motion to table, effectively killing a vote on the motion to recommit by a vote of 240 to 182. [House Vote 375, 7/6/16; Congressional Record, 7/6/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/6/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4361]
DESANTIS VOTED AGAINST KEEPING PEOPLE PROHIBITED FROM PURCHASING GUNS FROM USING CERTAIN TARGET RANGES
2016: DeSantis Voted Against Barring Individuals Prohibited From Purchasing Firearms Under Federal Law From Using Certain Federally Funded Target Ranges. In February 2016, DeSantis voted against an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[d] public target ranges that use certain federal funding to bar individuals prohibited from purchasing a firearm under federal law from using the target range.” The underlying legislation was a bill that, according to the AP, would have “expand[ed] access to hunting and fishing areas on public lands, extend[ed] protections for the use of lead bullets in hunting and strip[ped] wolves of federal protections in four states.” The vote was on the amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 161 to 244. [House Vote 92, 2/26/16; Congressional Quarterly, 2/26/16; AP Via US News & World Report, 2/26/16; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 947; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2406]
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Allowing The U.S. Attorney General To Deny Suspected Or Known Terrorists From Buying Firearms. In December 2015, DeSantis effectively voted against allowing the U.S. Attorney General to prevent suspected or known terrorists from purchasing a firearm. According to Congressional Quarterly, the privileged resolution would have “allow[ed] the Attorney General to deny the sale or transfer of firearms to individuals suspected of engaging in or assisting terrorist activities.” The Pelosi privileged resolution would direct the Speaker to place on the calendar the Denying Firearms and Explosives to Dangerous Terrorists Act. The vote was on a motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the Chair that the privileged resolution is out of order. The House tabled the motion to appeal the ruling of the Chair by a vote of 242 to 173. [House Vote 688, 12/10/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/3/15]
2015: DeSantis Effectively Voted Against Allowing The U.S. Attorney General To Deny Suspected Or Known Terrorists From Buying Firearms. In December 2015, DeSantis effectively voted against allowing the U.S. Attorney General to prevent suspected or known terrorists from purchasing a firearm. According to Congressional Quarterly, the motion to recommit would have “grant[ed] the Attorney General authority to deny the sale or transfer of firearms, and to deny the issuance of federal firearms licenses, to any individuals known or suspected of engaging in conduct constituting, relating to or in support of terrorism.” The underlying legislation was the Red River Private Property Protection Act. The vote was on a motion to table the motion to appeal the ruling of the Chair that the motion to recommit was out of order. The House tabled the motion to recommit by a vote of 246 to 182. [House Vote 685, 12/9/15; Congressional Quarterly, 12/3/15]
DESANTIS EFFECTIVELY VOTED TO STOP CONSIDERATION OF LEGISLATION PROHIBITING SUSPECTED TERRORISTS FROM BUYING GUNS
2016: DeSantis Effectively Voted To Block A Vote On A Bill That Would Prohibit Those On The FBI’s Terrorist No-Fly List From Passing A Background Check. In July 2016, DeSantis effectively voted to block legislation that, according to a floor speech by Rep. Michael Thompson (D-CA), “says that if you are on the FBI’s terrorist no-fly list then you don’t get to walk into a gun store, pass a background check, and leave with a gun or guns of your choosing.” The vote was on a motion to table an appeal of the ruling of the chair sustaining a point of order against a motion to recommit. The overall motion to recommit would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “report[ed] the bill back to the House with an amendment that would replace the measure with the text of a bill related to background checks for firearm purchases and transfers.” The House agreed to the motion to table, effectively killing a vote on the motion to recommit by a vote of 240 to 182. [House Vote 375, 7/6/16; Congressional Record, 7/6/16; Congressional Quarterly, 7/6/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 4361]
DESANTIS SIGNED LEGISLATION TO DIMINISH LOCAL GOVERNMENTS’ “UNWRITTEN” GUN POLICIES
2021: DeSantis Signed Into Law Legislation Providing That Private Individuals And Organizations Could Sue Local Governments For Their “Unwritten” Gun Policies And Requiring Local Governments To Pay For The Plaintiff’s Attorney Fees If They Voluntarily Got Rid Of Their “Unwritten” Policy During The Lawsuit. In May 2021, according to the Florida Senate, DeSantis signed into law Senate Bill 1884, which “revise[d] the Legislature’s preemption of the field of the regulation of firearms and ammunition. Current law provides a person or certain organizations with the right to seek declaratory or injunctive relief and actual damages due to a local ordinance, regulation, measure directive, rule enactment, order, or written policy regulating firearms or ammunition. The bill provide[d] that the right to maintain a legal action against a preempted local regulation applies even if the local regulation is unwritten. Existing s. 790.33, F.S., preempts the whole field of regulation of firearms and ammunition, including the purchase, sale, transfer, taxation, manufacture, ownership, possession, storage, and transportation thereof, to the state. Any person or organization whose membership is adversely affected by any ordinance, regulation, measure, directive, rule, enactment, order, or policy promulgated in violation of s. 790.33, F.S., may file suit against the governmental entity for a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief. If a court determines the plaintiff is the prevailing party, the plaintiff may recover actual damages of up to $100,000 in addition to any attorney fees. The bill also provide[d] a mechanism for a plaintiff to recover damages and attorney fees when a government entity changes its regulation while the regulation is being challenged under s. 790.33, F.S. Specifically, when a government entity voluntarily changes the regulation that was challenged pursuant to a complaint, the plaintiff challenging that regulation is considered the prevailing party and may recover actual damages and attorney fees.” [Florida Senate, Accessed on 10/7/22; Florida Senate, S.B. 1884]
DESANTIS VOTED TO CUT FUNDING FOR THE ATF BY $65 MILLION
2017: DeSantis Voted For Cutting ATF Funding By $65 Million. In September 2017, DeSantis voted for an amendment that would have, according to Congressional Quarterly, “decrease[d] funding for the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives by $64.7 million, and would [sic] and transfer[ed] the savings to the department’s spending reduction account.” The underlying legislation was a legislative vehicle for an FY 2018 Omnibus appropriations bill. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 98 to 313. The House later passed the overall bill. The Senate took no substantive action on the overall legislation. [House Vote 494, 9/13/17; Congressional Quarterly, 9/13/17; Congressional Actions, H. Amdt. 370; Congressional Actions, H.R. 3354]
DESANTIS VOTED TO PROHIBIT THE ARMY SECRETARY FROM ENFORCING GUN REGULATIONS ON FEDERALLY MANAGED WATER INFRASTRUCTURE
2016: DeSantis Voted To Prohibit The Army Secretary From Barring Individuals From Carrying Firearms At Water Resource Development Projects. In February 2016, DeSantis voted for a bill which expanded hunting and fishing on federal lands which also prohibited someone from being blocked from carrying a firearm at a water resource development project. According to Congressional Quarterly, the legislation would have “prohibit[ed] the Army secretary from issuing or enforcing regulations that prohibit individuals from carrying firearms at water resources development projects.” The underlying bill would have, according to The Hill, “expand[ed] public access to recreational shooting and hunting on federal lands.” The bill did this by, according to Congressional Quarterly, “require[ing] public lands under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service to be considered open for hunting, fishing, and recreational shooting unless the managing agency closes the land to such activities.” The vote was on passage. The House passed the bill by a vote of 242 to 161. The Senate took no substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 101, 2/26/16; Congressional Quarterly, 2/26/16; The Hill, 2/26/16; Congressional Actions, H.R. 2406]
September 2022: NRA Gave DeSantis A “A+” Rating. According to Florida Politics, “The National Rifle Association (NRA) has updated its grades for candidates, along with its endorsements in Florida’s races this year. A new report card was published by the NRA-Political Victory Fund. That allows some politicians to boast to voters about their high score — and in some cases their low rating. […] Gov. Ron DeSantis pulled off an ‘A+’ rating with the organization, a mark reserved for those who not only support items on the agenda but demonstrated a greater commitment to the organization’s agenda. U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, DeSantis’ opponent in the General Election, earned an ‘F’ from the organization.” [Florida Politics, 9/24/22]
January 2013: DeSantis Received A 92 Percent Rating From The NRA. According to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, “Local lawmakers’ NRA ratings. […] U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis (R): 92 %. […] Freshman U.S. Rep. Ron DeSantis said during his campaign that he oppos ed new gun restrictions. Neither Mica nor DeSantis responded to questions for this story.” [Daytona Beach News-Journal, 1/9/13]
2012 – 2018: DeSantis Received $5,000 In Contributions From The NRA And Its Affiliated Committees. According to the Las Vegas Sun, “What follows is a list compiled by opensecrets.org of contributions from the NRA to the 531 sitting members of Congress (four seats are currently vacant). The list ranks members by lifetime contributions (since 1989) and includes direct support from the NRA, its NRA Political Action Committee and NRA employees; indirect support, including independent expenditures and electioneering communications supporting the candidate; and independent expenditures against the members' political opponent. A negative value was assigned for NRA-directed spending against a member. Each member's first year in Congress is noted in parentheses. […] 242. Ron DeSantis, R-FL, House, $5,000 (2012)” [Las Vegas Sun, 2/23/18]
2022: DeSantis Accepted $3,000 From The NRA. According to the Florida Department of State, the National Rifle Association donated $3,000 to DeSantis’ campaign. [Florida Department of State, accessed 3/21/23]
[Audio] 2016: DeSantis Touted Gun Owners Of America Endorsement. According to audio from DeSantis’ Defeat The Jihad Town Hall, “DESANTIS: I think it is important to defend all of our rights. I was just endorsed by Gun Owners of America. I will defend the rights to own a gun [Ron DeSantis, Defeat The Jihad Town Hall, 4/6/16]