The conditions under which the 870.044 prohibitions can be put into effect:The city declared a local state of emergency when Hurricane Helene approached the Florida shore. The chief of police, Donald C. Hagan, II, warned residents that the city was banning the carrying of firearms, whether the guns were carried concealed or openly. He also prohibited the sale of firearms and ammunition to anyone, no matter if it was a private sale or from a gun store. Stores were also not allowed to display firearms or ammunition. The state of emergency ran from 9 A.M. on September 26 through 6 A.M. on September 27. Although the state of emergency is over, the order is alarming to many gun rights activists.
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2011/870.043
The prohibitions that come into effect under 870.043:870.043 Declaration of emergency.—Whenever the sheriff or designated city official determines that there has been an act of violence or a flagrant and substantial defiance of, or resistance to, a lawful exercise of public authority and that, on account thereof, there is reason to believe that there exists a clear and present danger of a riot or other general public disorder, widespread disobedience of the law, and substantial injury to persons or to property, all of which constitute an imminent threat to public peace or order and to the general welfare of the jurisdiction affected or a part or parts thereof, he or she may declare that a state of emergency exists within that jurisdiction or any part or parts thereof.
https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2011/0870.044
An alternative would have been not to do that and enforce laws against looting and other crime as the PD normally would.870.044 Automatic emergency measures.—Whenever the public official declares that a state of emergency exists, pursuant to s. 870.043, the following acts shall be prohibited during the period of said emergency throughout the jurisdiction:
(1) The sale of, or offer to sell, with or without consideration, any ammunition or gun or other firearm of any size or description.
(2) The intentional display, after the emergency is declared, by or in any store or shop of any ammunition or gun or other firearm of any size or description.
(3) The intentional possession in a public place of a firearm by any person, except a duly authorized law enforcement official or person in military service acting in the official performance of her or his duty.
Nothing contained in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the seizure, taking, or confiscation of firearms that are lawfully possessed, unless a person is engaged in a criminal act.
