Guns

Erhan John Er of Sarasota was sentenced Thursday to 52 months in federal prison on international firearms trafficking conspiracy charges after he bought firearms from dealers in Naples and Sarasota to be smuggled into Canada.

With the elimination of property taxes still on tap in Tallahassee, a study shows billions of dollars in potential losses, with some counties standing to lose more than others.

They include addressing school vouchers and cutting property taxes.

"Alligator Alcatraz." Guns. Social media. Legal battles about those and myriad other issues remain unresolved heading into 2026. Here are 10 big legal issues to watch for.

Sen. Don Gaetz is sponsoring the legislation, entitled "School Safety," to address security concerns in higher education. If passed, the bill would remove college campuses as gun-free zones — marking a significant shift in how Florida handles gun issues.

The bill wouldn’t affect federal laws that prohibit anyone under 21 from buying a pistol from a licensed gun dealer, but it would allow someone under 21 to buy a pistol from a private seller.

The bills would ban the sales of "assault weapons" or magazines with over 10 bullets; require background checks to buy ammo; limit where guns can be carried; and make drivers lock away guns inside their cars.

Some activists say the recent court rulings are strengthening their call to expand gun rights in the state and adding more pressure on legislators to clarify the legal landscape.

The ruling focused on an age limitation for carrying concealed weapons — which is separate from a more highly publicized state law that prevents people under age 21 from buying rifles and other long guns.

Boyd served in the House from 2010 to 2018 before getting elected in 2020 to the Senate, where he serves as majority leader. He will succeed President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, after the 2026 elections.

The Supreme Court's decision will have a big impact on the Florida lawsuit.

State Attorney General James Uthmeier had initially said open carry was allowed immediately following the judge's decision. But his spokesperson later clarified there was a 15-day window before it would start.