Florida Mayor Bans Sale Of Guns And Ammo During State Of ‘Present Danger’

In declaring a state of local emergency due to riots and civil unrest in the city of West Palm Beach, Florida, Mayor Keith James banned all sales of guns and ammunition Sunday. He also declared all citizens are prohibited from possessing firearms in public places.

In his Declaration of Emergency, James cited a Florida statute that allows public officials to strip law-abiding citizens of their Second Amendment rights by preventing the sale and public possession of firearms.

The mayor’s declaration claimed, “[T]here is reason to believe that there exists a clear and present danger of a riot or other general public disorder, widespread disobedience of the law, and substantial injury to persons or to property,” in the city of West Palm Beach. This description of events is similar to what Americans across the country are experiencing — prompting them to buy more guns and ammo.

May 2020 marked the third consecutive month of record-high firearm sales, bringing the total to an estimated 6 million guns sold since the coronavirus outbreak began in March. According to the National Shooting Sports Foundation, a large portion of the sales records were driven by first-time gun owners.