Florida Voters Choose Second Amendment Defender in August 18 Primary
Florida gun owners face a critical choice today. Gun Owners of America endorses Byron Donalds for governor, citing his commitment to block further state-level gun restrictions. The primary election determines which Republican advances to November's general race.
Donalds has positioned himself against Florida's existing gun-control measures, particularly the Parkland laws enacted after the 2018 school shooting. Those laws raised the minimum purchase age to 21, implemented a three-day waiting period, and banned bump stocks. GOA sees Donalds as the candidate most likely to resist additional restrictions.
Why It Matters for Gun Owners
Florida has been a battleground for Second Amendment rights for six years. The state's Republican leadership initially supported the Parkland restrictions despite intense pushback from gun owners. That compliance signaled to anti-gun legislators that further measures might pass with minimal resistance.
A governor aligned with gun owners can veto restrictive bills before they become law. Florida's legislature continues introducing proposals that would expand background checks, implement red-flag orders, and tighten regulations on concealed carry permits. Each restriction narrows options for lawful gun owners.
GOA's endorsement signals that gun-owner organizations distinguish between candidates based on concrete positions, not party affiliation alone. Donalds has directly criticized the Parkland laws and promised to defend Florida gun owners from additional restrictions. That track record matters in a state where 2.4 million gun owners rely on their rights daily.
For daily carriers and home defenders, gubernatorial elections often determine whether administrative rules become easier or harder to navigate. A governor who appoints pro-gun judges and agency leaders can slow anti-gun litigation and rule-making. Florida's Attorney General position also influences how gun laws get enforced or challenged.
Background
Florida passed the Parkland School Safety Act in March 2018, just weeks after the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Republican Governor Rick Scott signed the measure despite widespread gun-owner opposition. The law's waiting period specifically targets handgun purchases—the most common carry gun for self-defense.
The age restriction to 21 eliminated youth hunters and sport shooters from legal purchases. The bump-stock ban preceded federal prohibition by months, establishing a template for state-level confiscation measures. Gun owners saw these laws as proof that crisis-driven legislation ignores constitutional concerns.
Since 2018, anti-gun groups have introduced bills for red-flag orders, universal background checks, and permit requirements for ammunition purchases. Florida's Republican-controlled legislature has blocked most, but a governor hostile to gun rights could sign measures that currently stall in committee.
GOA has consistently opposed Republican candidates who support gun-control measures, regardless of their party label. The organization operates independently of the NRA and refuses to compromise on Second Amendment protections. GOA's Florida endorsement reflects Donalds' stated opposition to the Parkland laws and promised veto power against future restrictions.
DownRange Bottom Line
Florida gun owners must vote today if they want a governor who opposes new restrictions. Donalds represents the clearest anti-gun-control position in this race. One election cycle determines whether your carry permits, hunting seasons, and firearm purchases face tighter scrutiny or freedom to operate under existing law.
Turnout in primary elections determines outcomes in general elections. Your vote directly impacts who represents gun owners in Tallahassee for the next four years.
