Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier posted a video message on X warning against looting in the state following Hurricane Isaias, stating that such offenses during an emergency carry elevated charges under Florida law and that residents retain the right to defend their homes and families in a Second Amendment state. The post noted that the state’s crime rate remains at historic lows and that those who steal from storm victims “might lose more than your freedom.” Online users reacted to the warning, with comments ranging from expressions of support for the deterrent to criticism of the attorney general on other issues.
In the clip, Uthmeier faces the camera and states, “We’ve got a historically low crime rate, and we aim to keep it that way.” He continues, “Now that the storm has passed,” anyone who loots “during this emergency” faces a charge that “Florida law bumps… up a full degree.”
He adds that breaking into a home can mean “a first-degree felony and up to thirty years behind bars.” Addressing potential offenders, he says, “And bad guys, this is a proud Second Amendment state. Floridians have every right to defend their homes and families. Steal from storm victims, and you might lose more than your freedom.” He closes by saying offenders “will be caught” and “will be prosecuted,” and that “Florida will stay safe.”
Florida law does elevate certain property crimes during a declared emergency, and the attorney general’s office has issued similar warnings on looting and price gouging in connection with the storm. The video does not show any specific looting incidents, arrests, or confrontations; Claims about the precise current crime rate and any individual enforcement outcomes have not been independently detailed in the post itself.
Online Reactions to Florida AG’s Post-Storm Looting Warning
Many users backed the warning as a clear deterrent. Eric Daugherty wrote, “THIS is how you keep order after a disaster. No excuses for looters and no soft-on-crime nonsense! … Florida stays safe because it goes FULL LAW AND ORDER MODE!”
Jakob Simmons added, “Protect storm victims. That is how you keep order.” Another account posted, “I LOVE MY STATE.”
Some focused specifically on the Second Amendment line. Accounts amplifying the clip noted that looters “MAY BE SH0T by Florida property owners” if they enter homes, and one wrote that the message shows “Floridians have every right to defend their homes and families.”
Several replies focused on alleged financial issues. One stated, “Cool. When do we arrest the people who stole $10m from kids with cancer? Oh wait…” Another wrote, “You stole $10 million from sick children.”
A smaller set of replies on the original post raised other issues. One user wrote, “This is not ok.” Another said, “And YOU endorsed a FELON for Governor of the Free State of Florida. Sit down, James.”
For now, the warning has become part of the broader conversation about how Florida addresses property crime and self-defense during storm recovery. Online discussion continues to reflect both support for the deterrent message and questions about other issues raised by the attorney general’s record.
