‘You loot, we shoot’: DeSantis warns looters against targeting hurricane victims who may be pro-2A

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FLV) – After Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida, Gov. Ron DeSantis warned potential looters who may take advantage of people during the storm of advocates of the Second Amendment, repeating the moniker, “You loot, we shoot.”

“You got a lot of advocates and proponents of the Second Amendment and I’ve seen signs in different people’s yards in the past after these disasters and I would say it’s probably here, ‘you loot, we shoot,’” he said. “You never know what’s behind that door.”

Hurricane Idalia made landfall as a strong Category 3 storm Wednesday morning near Keaton Beach.

The governor said there are reports of people trying to loot in the town of Steinhatchee and said he told his administration’s personnel, “You protect people’s property, and we are not gonna tolerate any looting in the aftermath of a natural disaster.”

“I mean, it’s just ridiculous that you would try to do something like that on the heels of an almost Category 4 hurricane hitting this community,” DeSantis said.

“You go break into somebody’s house, and you’re trying to loot, these are people that are gonna be able to defend themselves and their families,” the governor said.

At ground zero of Hurricane Ian’s Category 4 landfall in 2022, Lee County Sheriff Carmine Marceno told looters to expect the full force of local law enforcement if they try to take advantage of victims.

“We will hunt you down… we’re not gonna tolerate that… Not in Lee County,” Marceno said as Hurricane Ian recovery efforts began.

At the time, some Florida residents put up signs of warnings for looters in communities impacted by Ian. Officials previously reported a looting incident occurred at a gas station in Fort Myers.

“At the end of the day, we are not going to allow lawlessness to take advantage of this situation. We are a law and order state and this is a law and order community – so do not think you’re going to go take advantage of people who’ve suffered misfortune,” DeSantis said during Ian.

After Hurricane Ian decimated Southwest Florida, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd also urged Floridians to protect their homes against looters.

“I would highly suggest if a looter breaks into your home, comes into your home while you’re there to steal stuff – that you take your gun and you shoot him – you shoot him so he looks like grated cheese,” Judd previously said.

Hurricane Idalia has continued clearing Florida as it heads up along the east coast, eventually turning out to sea. Florida authorities warned residents to not visit impacted areas unless directed by officials that it is safe to do so, unless you must return home, are a first responder or a registered volunteer.

DeSantis said Wednesday afternoon at a press briefing that various types of recovery teams are entering impacted areas to begin operations like rescues, debris removal and power restoration.

Late Tuesday night/Wednesday morning, powerful bands of the storm caused flooding in the Tampa Bay area.

St. Petersburg police said the area’s pier is closed due to flooding as of Wednesday morning.

As forecasted, Idalia brought dangerous wind and rain conditions.