Florida Lawmakers Push to Ban AI Gun Detection Technology: What It Means for Safety and Privacy

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Florida Lawmakers Push to Ban AI Gun Detection Technology: What It Means for Safety and Privacy

Florida lawmakers are considering a plan to restrict the use of artificial intelligence (AI) for detecting guns in public areas.

Senator Blaise Ingoglia from Spring Hill and Representative Monique Miller from Palm Bay are working together on a bill to prohibit AI gun detection in most public settings. 

Ingoglia stated, “We should not give up our rights because of technological advances,” via a post on X.

Ingoglia criticized the technology as a violation of the second and fourth amendment rights, a sentiment echoed by others.

Luis Valdes, the Florida state director of Gun Owners of America, shared similar concerns. He described the use of AI in this manner as “draconian” and likened it to practices in authoritarian countries.

On the other hand, Sam Alaimo, co-founder of Zero Eyes, a company involved in this technology, argues that their system enhances safety. He clarified that the software is selective, detecting only visible firearms and not concealed ones.

A screenshot of Zero Eyes' co-founder Sam Alaimo demonstrating how the AI gun detection technology works on Zoom.
A screenshot of Zero Eyes’ co-founder Sam Alaimo demonstrating the AI gun detection technology. Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025

Alaiomo explained, “Our software detects shapes resembling guns. When it identifies something, an alert appears. From there, a human operator can verify whether it’s a gun or not.”

Zero Eyes operates with many security cameras and has gained traction in some Florida school districts. For instance, the Leon County School Board installed the system in over 3,500 cameras across 42 schools.

Chris Petley, a spokesperson for the school district, stated that they conducted tests with local law enforcement to simulate various scenarios. Officials noted that the software is a significant step toward improving school safety.

The proposed bill, SB 562, makes exceptions for areas where concealed weapons are already prohibited. This means AI technology could still be employed in schools, police stations, and airports, but not in entertainment districts like Daytona’s Seabreeze.

Daytona’s Police Chief Jakari Young mentioned that this technology could have aided during a shooting incident. He suggested that if it were already active, officers could have responded sooner.

Young advocated for the installation of Zero Eyes across the city, contrasting with concerns raised by Valdes, who warned that it could lead to confusion in the community.

Right now, Florida does not allow open carry, though adults over 21 can carry concealed firearms without a permit. Some lawmakers, including Governor Ron DeSantis, are pushing for open carry to be legalized. However, there is still disagreement among legislative leaders.

Alaimo noted that whether the open carry is law, their detection software would remain effective. He mentioned they have clients who want to be alerted to any visible guns, including in grocery stores in open carry states.

The bill is set for discussion when the regular legislative session begins on March 4.

Copyright 2025 WFSU



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