DeSantis Rejects Surgeon General’s Advisory on Gun Violence as “Unconstitutional”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis declared on social media platform X that Florida will not comply with the U.S. Surgeon General’s new public health advisory on gun violence, calling it “unconstitutional.” DeSantis accused the Biden Administration of overreach, comparing the advisory to COVID-19 measures he opposed during the pandemic.

Surgeon General Vivek Murthy had labeled firearm violence a public health crisis, citing rising deaths and calling for universal background checks, secure firearm storage, and bans on assault weapons and large-capacity magazines. DeSantis, who recently signed a law allowing concealed carry without a permit, argued that these measures infringe on Second Amendment rights.

The National Rifle Association (NRA) echoed DeSantis’s criticism, stating the advisory threatens the rights of law-abiding gun owners.