Reader Craig made posted this comment:

I’ll have to go look it up, but I believe (at least in most southern states) that there are laws that you can’t go to a protest gathering wearing a mask. Something about the KKK…….? I think there are exceptions for Halloween, parties and other gatherings.

I had to check Florida’s Statutes regarding masks and they are pretty brutal . In fact, the whole chapter 876 seems to be dedicated to what Antifa is doing without compunction in Portland. Basically 876.12-876.15 says you have no right to travel, move, fart around or even think about wearing a mask in public in the state of Florida. Exceptions made for Holidays, emergencies and work.

876.155 Applicability; ss. 876.12-876.15.—The provisions of ss. 876.12-876.15 apply only if the person was wearing the mask, hood, or other device:(1) With the intent to deprive any person or class of persons of the equal protection of the laws or of equal privileges and immunities under the laws or for the purpose of preventing the constituted authorities of this state or any subdivision thereof from, or hindering them in, giving or securing to all persons within this state the equal protection of the laws;
(2) With the intent, by force or threat of force, to injure, intimidate, or interfere with any person because of the person’s exercise of any right secured by federal, state, or local law or to intimidate such person or any other person or any class of persons from exercising any right secured by federal, state, or local law;
(3) With the intent to intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass any other person; or
(4) While she or he was engaged in conduct that could reasonably lead to the institution of a civil or criminal proceeding against her or him, with the intent of avoiding identification in such a proceeding.

And the same chapter deals with masked people being terroristic assholes. Florida unfortunately has a bad history when it comes to the Klan and Regulators, but the Legislators did think about the future:

876.03 Unlawful assembly for purposes of anarchy, communism, or other specified doctrines.—Whenever two or more persons assemble for the purpose of promoting, advocating, or teaching the doctrine of criminal anarchy, criminal Communism, criminal Naziism or criminal Fascism, as defined in s. 876.01 of this law, such an assembly or organization is unlawful, and every person voluntarily participating therein by his or her presence, aid, or instigation shall be guilty of a felony of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.

That is 15 years in the pen. Basically it seems Florida does not make a difference between Antifa and the Klan which I do believe is very appropriate.

I knew there was a reason why you did not see the boys and girls in black hoodies sprouting down here.

And I almost forgot: We are the Gunshine State. Two million plus with concealed weapons permits (2,021,777 to be specific) and everybody else having them at home or at their business.