While Gov. Ron DeSantis called for expanding gun rights, no open carry legislation was filed for consideration this year. That has Second Amendment activists angry at lawmakers who voiced support for such a change in the past.

Specifically, groups like Florida Gun Rights have critiqued Rep. Monique Miller, a Brevard County Republican who said she intended to file an open carry bill but did not do so before a deadline ahead of the Legislative Session.

“Rep Monique Miller refused to file an open carry bill this session after she promised to do so,” said gun rights activist Matt Collins. “She sent the bill to the legislative drafting department but did not actually file it prior to Friday’s deadline. Insiders report that Rep Randy Fine instructed her not to actually file the bill as part of his spat with Governor DeSantis (who supports open carry).”

The group incorrectly identified Fine as a member of the House. He is now in the Senate.

Miller, for her part, said she remains a supporter of allowing individuals to open carry firearms, but said there isn’t a viable path for the bill this year.

“I am a staunch advocate of open carry,” Miller said. “I recognize it will take a concerted effort over time to get it done, and I’m in it for the long haul.”

Miller was the second lawmaker to commit to open carry legislation in the House. Former Rep. Joel Rudman, a Navarre Republican, filed such a bill ahead of Session. But it and all of his legislation was withdrawn after he resigned to run for Congress.

Senate President Ben Albritton reiterated as much on the first day of Session, making clear that the upper chamber of the Legislature won’t consider open carry legislation this year. He warned that Florida is very diverse with a wide range of “how society would accept that.”

“Orlando is not Pensacola, and certainly Tallahassee is not Okeechobee,” Albritton said following DeSantis’ State of the State.

“Another complication is Florida brought in more than 140 million visitors last year. We’re a tourism state. That matters. So I’m working through that in my mind because the most important thing I want to do is to do what’s right. And certainly, the most important thing I don’t want to do is make a mistake.”

But DeSantis has said he would sign an open carry bill if it made it to his desk. While he didn’t specifically say anything about that in his State of the State address on Tuesday, he did suggest the Legislature revisit restrictions put in place after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High shooting under then-Gov. Rick Scott.

“We need to be a strong Second Amendment state,” DeSantis said. “I know many of you agree with it, and so let’s get some positive reform done for the people of this state of Florida.”

Miller, for her part, said she will fight this year to expand gun rights in Florida.

“I am delighted to sponsor three important bills this session to advance gun rights in Florida,” she said.

“HB 6025 will fully repeal the unconstitutional ban on sales of firearms and ammunition sales during declared emergencies. If passed, Floridians will be able to protect themselves, their families and their homes, in times of crisis, when needed most. Additionally, I sponsored HB 491, which will ban the use of AI cameras to detect concealed firearms, and I co-sponsored HB 759 which will restore the gun rights of young adults, age 18 to 20.”

That hasn’t eased frustrations of gun groups or conservative activists.

“Gun Owners of America backed Rep. Monique Miller and she promised to file our open carry bill,” posted Luis Valdes, Florida State Director of GOA. “She now says it isn’t the right time. If the Founders had that attitude, we’d be Canada.”

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As wildfires torch the landscape in South Carolina near Myrtle Beach, Florida is sending some help to contain the blazes.

Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson announced that his agency has relief personnel on the way to South Carolina. The Florida Forest Service, under Simpson’s prevue, is sending a Complex Incident Management Team (CIMT) to support South Carolina’s frontline of firefighting. The Florida forestry contingent consists of 35 people.

“When a neighbor is in need, Florida will always answer the call for help. Just as we would count on South Carolina to stand with us in our time of need, we are proud to send our highly skilled wildland firefighting personnel to assist in their wildfire response,” Simpson said.

“The Florida Forest Service’s expertise in managing complex wildfire incidents will help protect lives, property, and natural resources. This is what true partnership looks like — states working together to meet challenges head-on and ensure the safety of our communities.”

Simpson added the decision to send firefighting help to South Carolina is part of the so-called Southeastern Compact, which is a pledge of mutual aid in times of crisis or emergencies among Southern states.

On Monday, hundreds of firefighters from across South Carolina managed to keep a large blaze in Horry County near Myrtle Beach from destroying any homes despite social media videos of orange skies at night and flames engulfing pine trees just yards away. Volunteers distributed cases of water and food to firefighters working long hours protecting homes and other structures.

The fire burned 2.5 square miles and was about 30% contained as of Monday evening, according to Horry County Fire Rescue. The department deployed drones as well as ground crews to respond to flare-up fires, reinforce break lines and set up portable sprinkler systems.

“We are glad to provide our neighboring state of South Carolina with the additional wildland fire response resources needed at this time,” said Florida Forest Service Director Rick Dolan.

“Through this deployment, the Florida Forest Service not only showcases its commitment to regional cooperation but also highlights the strength of the Southeastern Compact in enhancing wildfire preparedness and response capabilities. It is a vital tool for fostering resilience in the face of natural disasters and reinforces the importance of states working together to address shared challenges in wildfire management.”

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Material from The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Last Call – A prime-time read of what’s going down in Florida politics.

First Shot

In his annual State of the State Address, Gov. Ron DeSantis laid out his priorities of abolishing property taxes, repealing gun control laws and cleaning up the Everglades.

DeSantis gave a 30-minute speech to both chambers on the first day of the Legislative Session.

DeSantis praised Florida as a national leader for its strict illegal immigration enforcement laws and lean state budget.

“We are actually spending less money in the current fiscal year than we did in the previous fiscal year,” DeSantis said. “Where else in this country have they actually reduced spending?”

As property values jump, DeSantis continued to pitch his proposal to eliminate property taxes. DeSantis anticipates the issue will end up on the 2026 ballot for voters to approve.

“These escalating assessments have created a gusher of revenue for local governments,” DeSantis said. “Taxpayers need relief.”

Critics warn that eliminating property taxes could lead to a big hike in the state sales tax. DeSantis countered that argument Tuesday.

“Don’t let anyone tell you we’re going to seek to raise state taxes because this body will not pass tax increases, and this Governor will not sign any tax increases,” he said.

Meanwhile, DeSantis proposed adding more sales tax holidays for marine fuel for boaters and “Second Amendment Summer” for buying firearms, ammo and gun modifications.  

He also touted some of the state’s environmental efforts to protect the Florida panther, restore beaches, and continue rehabilitating the Everglades, as he mentioned his accomplishments in the past year.

Read more on Florida Politics.

Evening Reads

—“Canada and Mexico gambled on a free trade future. The bet is turning sour.” via Vipal Monga, Santiago Pérez and José de Córdoba of The Wall Street Journal

—“The Wi-Fi code Is ‘TrumpLovesYou,’ but the cafe’s clients aren’t feeling it” via Kim Barker of The New York Times

—”Two hugely important questions about Donald Trump’s trade war” via Andrew Prokop of Vox

—”Veterans are caught up in Trump’s and Elon Musk’s workforce overhaul” via Eileen Sullivan and Maya C. Miller of The New York Times

—”Florida House to investigate whether property insurers hid profits with ‘accounting tricks’” via Lawrence Mower of the Tampa Bay Times

—”Florida’s 2025 Legislative Session could prove a bruising one” via Christine Sexton of the Florida Phoenix

—”‘Forced medication’: Gov. Ron DeSantis wants fluoride out of water” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics

—”Citizens-Insurance-for-all bill withdrawn as sponsor seeks ‘in-depth’ study” via Ron Hurtibise of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel

—”Florida lawmakers send political message with guests to Trump’s address to Congress” via Jacob Ogles of Florida Politics

—“Here’s how Florida’s environmental laws could change this year” via Max Chesnes and Michaela Mulligan of the Tampa Bay Times