Florida AG Acknowledges Mistake, Now Says Non-Violent Felons Should Have Gun Rights

While I know that not everyone agrees with me about how anyone too violent to be trusted with their gun rights is too violent to be walking the streets, I think there can be a little more common ground to be found on the subject of non-violent felons.

Within the Second Amendment community, anyway, because anti-gunners are likely to never see it that way. We recognize that it’s an individual right, after all, and as such, shouldn’t be discarded for individuals all willy-nilly.

But Florida Attorney General John Uthmeier wasn’t exactly on that common ground. However, things change.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has formally acknowledged in a court filing that individuals convicted of non-dangerous felonies should not automatically lose their Second Amendment rights, marking a significant shift in the state’s legal position on firearm possession.

The updated stance was revealed in a filing submitted to Florida’s First District Court of Appeal in the case Christopher Morgan v. State of Florida. The Attorney General’s office notified the court that, after further review, it now believes Morgan’s conviction for being a felon in possession of a firearm violated his constitutional rights.

According to the filing, the state previously argued that Morgan was properly convicted under existing law. However, the Attorney General’s office stated it had reconsidered that position and now recognizes a constitutional distinction between dangerous and non-dangerous offenders.

“Properly understood, the Second Amendment permits the government to dispossess felons whose convictions indicate that the felon is dangerous, but not merely all felons as a categorical matter,” the filing states.

The Attorney General also informed the court that it was “confess[ing] error” and urged the appellate court to reverse the conviction. The updated position was submitted ahead of scheduled oral arguments in the case.

Gun Owners of America called out the change and posted details on X, as well as taking a shot at Attorney General Pam Bondi.

Florida Attorney General @JamesUthmeierFL just conceded that only dangerous felons lose 2A rights, “confess[ing] error” and urging the court “to reverse.” @AGPamBondi needs to sit up and take notes! This is what a REAL pro-gun attorney general looks like. pic.twitter.com/OMUsPs4HbC

— Gun Owners of America (@GunOwners) February 20, 2026

I can’t disagree.

The truth of the matter is that while many on the left trip over themselves to restore voting rights to felons, regardless of the felony, they view Second Amendment rights as another thing entirely. This betrays their claims that they don’t view the Second Amendment as a second-class right. They clearly do.

Moreover, while I get not everyone is willing to forgive and forget on violent felonies, non-violent felonies are a different matter entirely. It’s stupid that someone who bounced a check for groceries is a prohibited person. And yes, that’s a real example.

Should people be punished for breaking the law? Abso-freaking-lutely. I’m not saying they shouldn’t.

But we also shouldn’t keep punishing them indefinitely by denying them their right to keep and bear arms forever. It shouldn’t even be a thing, much less something they need to jump through hoops to get restored.

Uthmeier made the right call here. It’s hard to acknowledge mistakes, and it’s got to be even harder to do so in court filings, but he did it anyway.

I’m more and more impressed with the man.

Editor’s Note: President Trump and Republicans across the country are doing everything they can to protect our Second Amendment rights and right to self-defense.

Help us continue to report on their efforts and legislative successes. Join Bearing Arms VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your VIP membership.