What is Florida Amendment 2?
Beneath the guise of “protecting” rights, this amendment would further entrench the inherently undemocratic nature of wildlife management. Across the United States, state wildlife agencies are already a realm that both uplifts and prioritizes the beliefs of a minority viewpoint focused solely on the consumptive usage of animals and nature.
Many organizations oppose the amendment, including the Florida Wildlife Federation, Humane Society of the United States, and the Humane Wildlife Consulting of South Florida, because they are concerned this amendment is both unnecessary and will revive practices Floridians have already voted to ban, like steel-jawed traps and gill nets . (1, 2) Perhaps worse, this amendment could threaten private property rights. Groups opposed to the amendment are concerned that the language is imprecise and might make a constitutional right to hunt supersede a person’s right to prevent hunting on their property.
In 2021, a Kansas family, for example, told the story of how a bullet went through their home and embedded in the wall of a playroom their 2 young children often play in. (4) But because Kansas is a state whose constitution has a ‘right to hunt’ amendment, l,this family (like so many others) was offered no legal recourse. How long will it be until one of these close calls becomes a tragedy? No family deserves to be subjected to this, and Floridians have a right to know what this amendment could entail for themselves and for their loved ones.
Question 2, if successfully passed in Florida, would put millions of people and animals at risk. If you disagree with the idea of private property rights taking a backseat to the interests of the hunting lobby, visit https://noto2.org/ to learn more about what you can do to prevent this amendment from going forward. If you live in Florida, or know anybody who does, please share this information with them.
References
- Amendment 2: Too Vague, Too Risky – Vote NO, Florida Wildlife Federation,
- Amendment 2 poses a dangerous threat to Florida’s wildlife, ecosystems and private property rights, The Humane Society of the United States
- ‘There’s a blowout in the wall’: Johnson County families want reckless shooters held accountable, KSHB 41
About this post
This post is a guest post by Charlotte Cleveland, Wildlife for All intern. Charlotte is currently a biology student at Lake Forest College, where she is building a strong foundation in ecological research and sustainable conservation practices. Her academic pursuits are driven by a dedication to ethical wildlife management that integrates modern environmental values and biodiversity protection. Charlotte actively works to promote inclusive wildlife governance that balances ecological integrity with public interests and science-based policies. She aspires to contribute to wildlife conservation efforts that prioritize representation, equity, and accountability in state wildlife policies.