'You Loot, We Shoot!' DeSantis Issues Warning to Potential Looters After Hurricane Idalia

Governor Ron DeSantis issued a warning today to anyone thinking about looting after Hurricane Idalia.

"We are not going to tolerate any looting in the aftermath of a natural disaster," said DeSantis in Perry County today. "I'd also just remind potential looters that you never know what you are walking into. People have a right to protect their property."

"This part of Florida you have a lot of advocates and proponents of the Second Amendment," said DeSantis. "I've seen signs in different people's yards in the past after these disasters and I would say probably here: 'You loot. We shoot.'

DeSantis said looters will be held accountable from a law enforcement perspective and warned potential looters that it could be even worse for them if they try.

"If you try to break into somebody's house and you're trying to loot, these are people who are going to be able to defend themselves and their families so I would not do it," warned DeSantis. "Let's all come together and lift people up and not try to take advantage of a difficult situation."

"Florida is a law-and-order state—looting WILL NOT be tolerated," posted Attorney General Ashley Moody.  "I have already spoken to Sheriffs and State Attorneys in the hardest hit areas and we will not allow looters to take advantage of those displaced by #Idalia."

"We are a law and order state. We will not take it lightly if folks are looting," said Moody.

"We want everyone to be in this together to think of each other to help support one another. We do need to be aware that in times of emergency, in these challenging times, there are bad actors  – from those seeking to make a profit off of essential commodities, to those that are waiting in the aftermath to where property is abandoned, and neither will be tolerated," Moody said. "I'm so grateful to work with a governor who is very strong on this and making sure that people understand this is a state that will enforce the law and people should be aware."

Moody said anyone who suspects price gouging at hotels, gas stations or on other commodities to call the state hotline at 1(866) 9NO-SCAM, visit the free NO SCAM app, or www.MyFloridaLegal.com.