On Friday (September 30), Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) sent a stern warning to those looking to take advantage of Hurricane Ian.
He made the statements at a press conference in Fort Myers, Florida, where he pointed out that when he had visited nearby Punta Gorda, he saw a sign on a boarded-up business that read, “You loot, we shoot.”
DeSantis expressed that Florida is “a law and order state, and this is a law and order community,” adding, “do not think that you’re going to take advantage of people who’ve suffered misery.”
At another press conference later on Friday, DeSantis made his warning clearer, “Don’t even think about looting,” he said.
The Florida Governor explained that those thinking they can “ransack” homes should remember that Florida is a Second Amendment state.
Elaborating on his warning, the Governor stated, “I can tell you in the state of Florida, you never know what may be lurking behind somebody’s home,” expressing that he would not take the chance “if I were you — given that we’re a Second Amendment state.”
By Friday afternoon, 2 million people still didn’t have power after Ian — a Category 4 storm with maximum wind speeds of 155 mph — made landfall on Wednesday (September 28).
Carmine Marceno, Sheriff for Lee County, repeated similar warnings as DeSantis, saying there was a “zero tolerance” policy for “anyone that thinks they’re going to thrive on the residents of this county or state when we just took a horrific hit — I can guarantee you that is not going to happen.”
Marceno added that those who attempt such moves would be met with “swift incarceration.”
