Florida is a state with a deep tradition of responsible gun ownership. From hunters in the rural parts of Manatee County to homeowners in Riverview and Brandon who keep a firearm for personal protection, the right to keep and bear arms is not an abstract constitutional principle — it is a practical reality for hundreds of thousands of families in District 16.
That right is under sustained pressure from federal legislation, regulatory overreach by executive agencies, and court challenges that seek to chip away at what the Supreme Court has affirmed is an individual right. John Peters believes the Second Amendment means what it says — and that Congress must defend it vigorously.
What the Federal Threat Looks Like in 2026
The most immediate federal threats to gun rights in 2026 are not dramatic gun bans — those rarely pass. The more insidious threats come through regulatory action by the ATF, which has attempted to redefine what constitutes a firearm through rulemaking that bypasses Congress. Red flag law frameworks that shift the burden of proof away from the government and onto gun owners have been proposed at the federal level. And there is ongoing legislative pressure to impose universal background check requirements that, in practice, would create a national gun registry.
Florida's Model: Constitutional Carry and Responsible Ownership
Florida passed constitutional carry in 2023, joining the majority of states that trust law-abiding citizens to carry without a government permission slip. This is the right policy: punish criminals who misuse firearms, and trust law-abiding citizens to exercise their rights responsibly. John Peters believes the federal government should follow Florida's lead — not override it.
John Peters' Commitment
John Peters is a strong Second Amendment supporter. He will:
- Oppose any federal legislation that infringes on the right to keep and bear arms
- Fight ATF regulatory overreach that circumvents the legislative process
- Oppose any federal red flag law that does not provide robust due process protections
- Work to ensure that veterans and law-abiding citizens are not stripped of their rights through administrative processes that lack adequate oversight
The Second Amendment is the guarantee of all others. John Peters will go to Washington and defend it without apology.