TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – On Tuesday morning, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier took to social media to declare a new push: defending Second Amendment rights for “non-dangerous felons.”
In a video posted to X, Uthmeier argued that people who don’t pose a danger to the community shouldn’t have their Second Amendment rights taken away.
As such, Uthmeier said his office has submitted legal briefs defending Second Amendment rights against certain past state prosecutions.
Under our Constitution, someone who poses no danger to the community should not be disarmed or dragged to prison for exerting the right to self-defense.
— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) March 31, 2026
That’s why we are defending Second Amendment rights against certain past state prosecutions of non-dangerous felons. pic.twitter.com/DiD0CkzBZx
The full video statement goes as follows:
“Firearm ownership is an American tradition, and the God-given right to self-defense is enshrined in our Constitution through the Second Amendment.
For the government to restrict Second Amendment rights, the U.S. Supreme Court has held that the Constitution and American tradition requires an individual must pose a credible threat to the physical safety of others.
For instance, a man who is convicted of carrying a firearm without a permission slip from the government in another state — who poses no danger to the community — should not be disarmed or dragged to prison as a felon for exerting his right to self-defense. As attorney general, I’m required to support and defend your rights before all else — no matter the cost.
That’s why we’ve submitted legal briefs defending the Second Amendment against certain past state prosecutions of non-dangerous felons. While Florida law barring dangerous felons from owning firearms is constitutional, it may only be applied to those who are a danger to the public — not someone who should have never been a felon in the first place.
My office will continue to enforce the law. We will hold wrongdoers accountable, and we will step in when government infringes on your constitutional rights."
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Under Florida law, felons in the state are barred from owning or carrying any firearm, ammunition or electric weapon, regardless of whether the felony conviction came from Florida.
Breaking this law can result in a second-degree felony, though it doesn’t apply to felons whose civil rights have already been restored.
[BELOW: Disturbing discoveries at Sanford home spark 100 charges, Florida attorney general says]