Journalist guns confiscated Red Flag law in Florida

[rtschl]

Independent journalist James O'Keefe had his guns confiscated under Florida's Red Flag law. This is insane. The guy who threatened him got a temporary order to force O'Keefe to surrender all his firearms. A judge has overturned the order.

Video of confiscation here: https://x.com/EricLDaugh/status/2047715077441101884


Recap on X here before order overturned: https://x.com/quill67/status/2047512630634422598

• O’Keefe released hidden-camera footage showing Tyrmand saying he would “kill him” (O’Keefe), calling him one of the most evil people he knew, and using a photo of O’Keefe’s book Breakthrough for “target practice” with rifle bullets through the heart area on the cover.
• After the video’s publication, some audience members (third parties) reacted angrily and allegedly made threats or harassing comments toward Tyrmand.
• Tyrmand then filed a “domestic violence stalking” petition in Miami-Dade family court, leading to an ex parte temporary injunction against O’Keefe.
• O’Keefe describes this as a “heckler’s veto”: the court effectively punished or restricted his journalism because of how third parties responded to the protected speech (the reporting), not because O’Keefe or his team directly stalked, threatened, or committed violence against Tyrmand.

He has called it unconstitutional prior restraint on the press (1st Amendment) and is appealing, including an emergency interlocutory appeal, while also planning an anti-SLAPP motion for attorney’s fees.

Court Context
• The judge issued/extended the TRO based on Tyrmand’s petition, finding enough initial basis for “reasonable cause” of fear (standard for temporary stalking/repeat violence injunctions in Florida). Specific details from Tyrmand’s filing aren’t fully public, but O’Keefe’s account aligns with reports that it ties back to the fallout from the published video rather than independent direct threats from O’Keefe.
• Firearm surrender is automatic under Florida law for qualifying injunctions (Fla. Stat. § 790.233), regardless of who made the original threats.
• A full hearing is scheduled for May 11, 2026. O’Keefe also filed his own restraining order against Tyrmand in Palm Beach County.