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Republican presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis speaks during a campaign event at The Vault on October 05, 2023 in Tampa, Florida.
CNN
Gov. Ron DeSantis expressed uncertainty about the effectiveness of Florida’s red flag law in removing guns from dangerous individuals. He stated that he would not sign any gun safety measure if elected president.
However, in light of the recent mass shooting in Lewiston, Maine, where at least 18 people were killed, DeSantis proposed the involuntary institutionalization of individuals with mental health issues instead.
During an interview with CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on “The Source,” DeSantis emphasized the importance of holding people accountable through mental adjudication for those deemed mentally unstable or through legal proceedings for those who commit crimes.
The suspect in the shooting had previously reported mental health issues and had been committed to a mental health facility for two weeks over the summer.
In Florida, law enforcement agencies can request temporary firearm possession restrictions for individuals considered dangerous under the state’s “red flag” law. This law has been invoked over 8,000 times since its implementation in response to the Parkland high school massacre in 2018.
DeSantis expressed doubt that Florida’s law would have made a difference in preventing the shooting in Maine. He believes that involuntary commitment would have been more effective in keeping the suspect off the streets.
Despite initially opposing the law during his gubernatorial campaign, DeSantis did not reverse it during his time in office and attributed its continuation to other lawmakers in the state.
Former President Donald Trump, who is a frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, previously called for the institutionalization of more people after the Parkland massacre.
DeSantis echoed this sentiment and suggested that there should be an increase in institutionalization to address mental health issues.
Before the shooting, DeSantis highlighted his support for gun rights and expressed his intention to reverse certain firearm restrictions imposed by the Trump and Biden administrations.
When asked if there were any gun control measures he would support if elected president, DeSantis vowed to uphold the Second Amendment and protect citizens’ constitutional rights.
DeSantis attributed Trump’s success in the polls to his high name recognition and emphasized the need for him to make his own case to voters.
