In response to Ron DeSantis doubling down today on his extreme anti-safety agenda, DNC National Press Secretary Sarafina Chitika released the following statement: 

“Voters are watching as Ron DeSantis puts the gun lobby ahead of the safety of America’s children – and they’re sickened by it. Last year, DeSantis signed a dangerous bill that could make it easier for criminals to carry guns, and this year, he’s running to take his extreme MAGA platform nationwide – it’s a reckless, unpopular agenda that will be one of many reasons why DeSantis will be soundly defeated this year.”

Just today, Ron DeSantis called for abolishing the ATF and refused to consider federal gun safety legislation.

Des Moines Register: “After Iowa school shooting, Ron DeSantis says gun violence is a ‘local and state issue’”

DeSantis: “We’ve shown how it’s done in Florida.”

Will McDuffie, ABC News: “@RonDeSantis tells @DanaLoeschRadio he’d sign a bill to abolish the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.”

DeSantis signed a bill last year that could make it easier for criminals to carry guns — and even said he would “absolutely” be willing to go further.

NBC News: “Ron DeSantis quietly legalizes carrying concealed weapons without permits”

“With little fanfare, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Monday allowing residents to carry a concealed loaded weapon without a permit. DeSantis signed the bill in a nonpublic event in his office with only bill sponsors, legislative leaders and gun rights advocates, including the National Rifle Association, in attendance.” 

USA Today: “Gov. Ron DeSantis quietly signed a bill Monday that eliminates licensing requirements for Florida residents to carry a concealed firearm in most public places. 

Tampa Bay Times: “Gov. Ron DeSantis was recorded Thursday telling a member of a gun rights group that he supports allowing Floridians to openly carry guns in public — a measure that has been publicly opposed by some law enforcement officials and that would go further than any bill now filed for the upcoming legislative session.”

“‘Yeah, absolutely,’ DeSantis is heard to say during a 10-second interaction recorded by Valdes and shared with the Times. ‘I don’t think they’re going to do it, but I would absolutely.’”

WMUR: “Would you, as president, sign a bill that would allow for national concealed carry of permitted firearms for responsible gun owners?”

DeSantis: “Yes.”

DeSantis’ extreme anti-gun safety agenda is widely unpopular across the political spectrum.

NBC News: “Even as DeSantis pushed the proposal ahead of his expected bid for president, public polling on the issue has shown it to be widely unpopular with both political parties. Last month, a poll conducted by the University of North Florida showed 77% of the 1,492 respondents were somewhat or strongly opposed to the permitless carry legislation, a number that included 62% of Republicans.”

DeSantis has opposed commonsense gun reform at the federal and state levels and parroted NRA talking points.

Tampa Bay Times: “Congressman Ron DeSantis told a crowd of pro-Trump supporters that he would have vetoed the Legislature’s Parkland gun bill if he were governor, according to the Sun Sentinel. 

“‘I would have vetoed it,’ DeSantis, one of the leading Republican candidates for governor, briefly told a reporter Monday night after speaking to the Palm Beach County Donald Trump Club.”

Naples Daily News: “During his time in Congress, DeSantis has backed legislation that seeks to allow anyone with a concealed gun permit in one state to carry it in another and has co-sponsored numerous proposals backed by the NRA.”