Gov. Jim Florio of New Jersey accepted an award for political courage today from the Kennedy family, saying he hoped the day would come when politicians would not have to be honored for sticking to their principles.

"I tell you, I look forward to the day when public servants who follow the dictates of their conscience are not regarded as heroes worthy of awards, but simply as men and women who are worthy of the offices to which they've been entrusted," he said in a ceremony at the John F. Kennedy Library here.

In accepting the "Profile in Courage" award, largely for his support of gun control in spite of pressure from the National Rifle Association, Mr. Florio was praised in words that sounded as if they might have been scripted by ad writers in his campaign for re-election.

Senator Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts described Mr. Florio as "a man who has shown real political courage in tackling the toughest issues of the time."

Republican Reaction Muted

In an interview, Caroline Kennedy, who helped present the award that bears the name of a book written by her father, John F. Kennedy, said there was no partisan political consideration in giving the award to Mr. Florio in a critical election year in New Jersey.

The reaction from Republican candidates for Governor in New Jersey was muted. Former Attorney General Cary Edwards, who maintains the weapons ban does not work, said, "It would be appropriate to give Governor Florio a 'Profile in Courage' award for taking guns out of the hands of criminals, but that is something that he has failed to do."