On February 10, Republican Senator Blaise Ingoglia filed Senate Bill 562, which seeks to prohibit using artificial intelligence (AI) for detecting firearms in public places. The proposed legislation aims to prevent AI technology, including its integration with cameras and recording devices, from being utilized to identify individuals carrying firearms in public settings.
The bill outlines specific exceptions, allowing AI-based firearm detection in designated locations such as schools, courthouses, prisons, police stations, polling places and establishments where alcohol sales constitute the primary business. Any violations of this legislation would be classified as a first-degree misdemeanor under Florida statutes, potentially leading to fines or imprisonment.
Ingoglia defended the bill as a necessary safeguard for constitutional rights, emphasizing concerns over privacy and the right to bear arms.
“Utilizing artificial intelligence to detect whether a law-abiding citizen is carrying a concealed firearm is nothing but a technological infringement upon both our Second and Fourth Amendment rights,” Ingoglia said in a news release. “Advances in technology should never erode our right to protect oneself and one’s property.”
The Second Amendment protects the right to bear arms, while the Fourth Amendment guards against unlawful searches and seizures. Ingoglia and the bill’s supporters argue that AI firearm detection technology could constitute a form of digital surveillance that infringes upon these constitutional protections.
The bill’s introduction comes as some Florida municipalities consider adopting AI-based firearm detection systems, such as Daytona Beach’s implementation of “ZeroEyes,” a security camera system designed to identify visible weapons and alert authorities, according to flsenate.gov. Proponents of such technology argue that it enhances public safety by enabling quicker responses to potential threats, particularly in high-risk areas like schools and large public gatherings.
However, Ingoglia contends that the widespread use of AI to detect firearms in public spaces poses a risk of government overreach.
Opponents of the bill, including some law enforcement officials and public safety advocates, argue that restricting AI’s use for firearm detection could hinder efforts to prevent gun violence. They point to instances where AI-based surveillance successfully identifies threats before incidents escalate, potentially saving lives.
Despite the debate, SB 562 has garnered support from gun rights organizations and privacy advocates who view it as a necessary check on government surveillance. According to flsenate.gov, If signed into law, the legislation will take effect on October 1.
The bill’s progression through the Florida Legislature will likely spark continued discussions on balancing public safety and individual rights. As AI technology evolves, lawmakers nationwide may face similar challenges in determining its appropriate role in law enforcement and personal security.