Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier just dropped a bombshell in the fight for Second Amendment rights, stepping into a teen’s criminal case to urge a state appeals court to protect the young man’s right to carry. Even the typically hostile anti-gun media outlets like the Miami Herald had to acknowledge the move, reporting that Uthmeier’s office filed a rare brief defending the defendant’s concealed carry permit amid a challenge from prosecutors. This isn’t some abstract legal filing—it’s a direct counterpunch against Florida’s lingering gun-grabber faction, who are still smarting from the state’s recent pro-2A reforms under Governor Ron DeSantis, including permitless carry. Uthmeier’s intervention signals that the AG’s office won’t let overzealous local DAs erode hard-won victories, especially when the facts show the teen legally possessed the firearm before any alleged crime.
Digging deeper, this case exposes the hypocrisy of Florida’s post-parkland gun control crowd, who pushed red-flag laws and age restrictions that courts have repeatedly chipped away at. Uthmeier’s defense hinges on upholding the 2023 permitless carry law (HB 543), arguing that the teen’s carry was lawful regardless of age disputes—a clever pivot that reinforces constitutional carry as the new normal. It’s a masterstroke: by wading into a criminal appeal, he’s not just defending one kid; he’s building precedent to shield all Floridians from selective prosecution. For the 2A community, this is rocket fuel—proof that DeSantis’ appointees are battle-tested warriors, turning the AG’s office into a fortress against Bloomberg-funded challenges.
The implications ripple nationwide. As blue-state AGs like New York’s Letitia James weaponize their offices against guns, Uthmeier’s aggressive pro-rights stance in a purple battleground like Florida could inspire red-state counterparts to get off the sidelines. Expect gun-grabbers to howl, filing amicus briefs and ramping up media spin, but this move fortifies the post-Bruen landscape where courts demand fidelity to history and tradition. 2A advocates should rally behind Uthmeier—donate to his allies, amplify this story, and watch as it deters future overreach. In a sea of spineless politicians, this is leadership that packs real firepower.
