Winter Garden will remove no-firearm signs from Tucker Ranch

After receiving a letter Wednesday, July 15, from Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, the city of Winter Garden already is taking steps to remove no-firearm signs from Tucker Ranch.

“The city of Winter Garden is aware of the sign referenced in … Uthmeier’s letter,” City Manager Jon C. Williams said. “We have already taken action, and the sign will be removed no later than Aug. 1, 2026.”

In Uthmeier’s letter, he wrote: “I was recently made aware that the city of Winter Garden's Parks & Recreation De­partment posted a sign at the Tucker Ranch Recreation and Nature Complex prohib­iting ‘weapons’ and ‘firearms’ in the park. The sign further warns that ‘failure to follow park rules and/or posted signage will result in loss of use privileges.’ 

“This prohibition on lawful firearm possession is illegal under Florida law and must be re­moved,” he wrote. “Florida law declares that the regulation of firearms, including possession, is entirely preempted by the state. Any municipal ordinance, rule or regulation that regulates firearms is void, and no municipality may enact or enforce a rule that impinges on the Legislature's exclusive occupation of the field of firearm regulation. … Winter Garden's prohibition of firearms in parks … violates section 790.33, Florida Statutes, and is null and void. 

“Winter Garden is not permitted to enforce any rule purporting to prohibit firearms in this way,” Uthmeier wrote. “Any attempt to do so may lead to civil enforcement actions.”

In addition, Uthmeier urged the city to remove any similar signs at other parks. 

“Failure to do so will mislead the public as to their constitutionally protected rights and will violate Florida law,” he wrote.

In a post on X, Uthmeier said, “Failure to correct these signs will result in appropriate legal action by my office.”