Florida – -(AmmoLand.com)- Florida’s Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that he wants to create the Florida State Guard – a 200-member volunteer paramilitary force that he would control – not Joe Biden – which would assist the Florida National Guard in state-specific emergencies.
According to a press release, DeSantis wants to spend more than $100 million to beef up the Florida National Guard, and $3.5 million to create the new Florida State Guard.
“The establishment of the Florida State Guard will further support those emergency response efforts in the event of a hurricane, natural disasters and other state emergencies. The $3.5 million to establish the Florida State Guard will enable civilians to be trained in the best emergency response techniques. By establishing the Florida State Guard, Florida will become the 23rd state with a state guard recognized by the federal government,” the press release states.
More than 20 states already have similar state paramilitary forces, many of which were formed as state militias during the 18th Century.
The move comes as tension is brewing between DeSantis and Biden.
During a press conference, DeSantis noted that the Florida State Guard would “not be encumbered by the federal government,” and that the unit would give him “the flexibility and the ability needed to respond to events in our state in the most effective way possible.”
Florida, he pointed out, has always been one of the most military-friendly and veteran-friendly states.
“We are proud of our veterans and active-duty military members and proud of what our communities do to support them,” DeSantis said in the press release. “Florida is one of the most veteran friendly states and I think there are very few places that you would rather be on duty than in the state of Florida. As a veteran, I really appreciate what everyone who wears the uniform does in our state and am excited about these proposals – they will go a long way and have a meaningful impact. In Florida, we are going to continue our momentum of supporting our military, supporting our veterans and being good stewards of our military installations.”
U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist, a Democrat who is running for governor in 2022 and may face DeSantis, tweeted, “No Governor should have his own handpicked secret police.” [you mean like the DC Capitol Police?]
No Governor should have his own handpicked secret police. https://t.co/BWEPhM5rHa
— Charlie Crist (@CharlieCrist) December 2, 2021
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, another Democrat running to replace DeSantis, tweeted similar concerns.
“Can’t believe I have to say this, but Florida doesn’t need a paramilitary force that only answers to @RonDeSantisFL. Millions of Floridians know what it’s like to live under regimes like this — and came to our state to escape them. This must be stopped,” Fried tweeted.
Can't believe I have to say this, but Florida doesn't need a paramilitary force that only answers to @RonDeSantisFL. Millions of Floridians know what it's like to live under regimes like this — and came to our state to escape them. This must be stopped. https://t.co/JoTgXmKTzc
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) December 2, 2021
Takeaways
In my humble opinion, the Florida State Guard is exactly what the Founding Fathers had in mind when they wrote the Second Amendment.
The only problem I foresee is the unit’s 200-member limit. I predict DeSantis will receive 1,000-times that many applications and letters of interest.
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About Lee Williams
Lee Williams, who is also known as “The Gun Writer,” is the chief editor of the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Journalism Project. Until recently, he was also an editor for a daily newspaper in Florida. Before becoming an editor, Lee was an investigative reporter at newspapers in three states and a U.S. Territory. Before becoming a journalist, he worked as a police officer. Before becoming a cop, Lee served in the Army. He’s earned more than a dozen national journalism awards as a reporter, and three medals of valor as a cop. Lee is an avid tactical shooter.
He needs more than 200 to defend Florida from tyranny.
Charlie Crist
“No Governor should have his own handpicked secret police”
Oh….ok…..But Pelosi can have her Capitol Stormtroopers???
Start with 200 train the officers and use them set up and organization for the regular state militia
It’s a nice idea, but what happens when he leaves office and you get some radical lefty?
By the way, at the time the 2nd Amendment was written, “well regulated” did not mean that there were lots of rules and regulations and supervised. It meant “well equipped,” thus the need for private citizens to be able to keep and bear arms so there would be a sufficient force at a moment’s notice in a time of need.
Virginia already has this militia:
“The Virginia Defense Force is authorized by the Code of the Virginia as the all-volunteer reserve of the Virginia National Guard and serves as a force multiplier integrated into all Guard domestic operations. Members of the VDF volunteer their time for training and community support and are only paid when called to state active duty by an authorization from the Governor of Virginia.”
Virginia Defense Force – Virginians Helping Virginians
So what? He STILL has not done a damn thing for the 2A community.
Sounds like Nikki Fried thinks it should be her militia?
“By establishing the Florida State Guard, Florida will become the 23rd state with a state guard recognized by the federal government,” the press release states.” First off, who cares if the federal “government’ recognizes them or not. As to 23 states? WHICH ONES? And are they really 2nd amendment “militias”? We need those as they are NECESSARY for the security of a free state of existence. What they need to do is get rid of the “national guard” as it is part of the UNCONSTITUTIONAL standing army. There should be no standing army except in times of war as declared… Read more »
I believe all enlistees should have to understand the Constitution. Possibly take a class from Kriss Anne Haul or like before enlisting. She & her husband interpret the Constitution quite well. As written. At least then enlisted people would have a better understanding of their purpose & mission. We don’t need another Katrina. Disarming citizens.