Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier is facing backlash for his recent decision to challenge the state’s concealed carry law for individuals aged 18 to 21. Uthmeier is seeking to uphold a teenager’s right to carry a concealed weapon, even after a ruling last year by Broward Circuit Judge Frank Ledee declared the ban constitutional. This move has sparked criticism from gun-control advocates who argue that it undermines efforts to enhance public safety in the state.
At the heart of the issue is a 1987 law that prohibits anyone between the ages of 18 and 21 from carrying a concealed firearm. This law has undergone numerous reviews but has remained intact despite ongoing debates about gun rights and regulation. In October 2022, Judge Ledee dismissed charges against a teenager arrested for carrying a concealed handgun, stating, “Because the Second Amendment’s plain text applies to the concealed carry of firearms, Florida’s concealed carry ban, as applied to 18-to-20-year-olds, is unconstitutional.”
Despite this ruling, earlier in the same year, Judge Lorena Mastrarrigo upheld the law in a different case, which led to an appeal by defense lawyers. Uthmeier, siding with the appeal, criticized the prosecution of the defendant, prompting his office to request the appeals court to rule in favor of the defendant.
In a written statement on Monday, Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor expressed his disagreement with Uthmeier’s stance. He highlighted the significant impact of gun violence in Florida, referencing the tragic mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018, which left 17 individuals dead and many more injured. “We respectfully disagree with the position taken by the Office of the Attorney General,” Pryor stated, affirming his commitment to enforcing existing laws despite Uthmeier’s position.
Criticism of Uthmeier extends beyond the legal community. Florida House Representative Dan Daley condemned the attorney general for prioritizing personal political beliefs over state law. “He does not have the authority to abandon a state law simply because he disagrees with it,” Daley remarked, urging Governor Ron DeSantis to intervene in the matter. DeSantis has not publicly opposed Uthmeier’s actions or those of Judge Ledee regarding gun rights.
Gun reform advocates have also voiced their concerns regarding this decision. Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter Jaime was a victim of the Stoneman Douglas shooting, stated, “No single official should be able to decide which laws are worth defending, especially when those laws are designed to protect the public from gun violence.” He emphasized the importance of laws like the concealed carry ban in safeguarding communities.
Despite the controversy, the concealed carry law remains active in Florida. The ongoing debate reflects deepening divisions over gun rights and public safety, with advocates on both sides of the issue continuing to voice their opinions. As this legal battle unfolds, it underscores the complex and often contentious nature of gun legislation in the United States.
