Florida Lawmakers Introduce New Legislation To Require Gun Owners To Carry Guns WITHOUT A Permit In Public
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Florida lawmakers introduce new legislation to make gun owners carry weapons WITHOUT a permit in public, after Gov. DeSantis urged them to pass a law change
- Currently, Floridians do not need permits to buy guns, but they do need permits to carry them in public
- The bill could pass as early as March in the Republican-led Florida House of Representatives.
- Gov. Ron DeSantis has endorsed the legislation, which was proposed Monday.
Florida lawmakers are set to pass a new bill that would allow people to carry guns in public without needing a concealed carry permit.
Republican House Speaker Paul Renner announced the legislation during a press conference Monday with the endorsement of Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Florida Republicans control the state house and have enough votes on their side to win the bill, which is expected to pass in March.
Currently, Floridians do not need permits to purchase a gun, but they do need permits to carry them in public. The new bill would remove that requirement.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has backed legislation that would allow Floridians to carry guns in public without a permit.
Florida House Speaker Paul Renner announced the legislation Monday
Flanked by sheriff’s deputies Monday, Renner characterized the bill as “central to our freedom.”
“Florida led the nation in concealed carry,” he said, adding that he now wanted the state to lead the charge in eliminating “government permit to carry.”
Renner and his supporters have called the bill ‘Constitutional Carry’.
But Democratic Rep. Christine Hunschofsky said the title was inaccurate.
‘This is not a constitutional charge. This is an untrained carry,’ he said. Hunschofsky represents the city of Parkland, where one of the worst school shootings in the country took place.
House Minority Leader Fentice Driskell said she was “concerned” about the legislation and hoped it would pass.
Ron DeSantis pictured on January 23. He supported the new concealed carry legislation.
Renner and supporters of the bill said they felt gun owners are responsible and know how to handle their guns safely.
“We trust people to do the right thing,” Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis said. He is the president of the Florida Sheriffs Association, which supported the bill.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said: ‘About time. Florida is taking a big step.’
House Minority Leader Fentice Driskell said she was “concerned” about the legislation and hoped it would pass.
“I am very concerned about this potential legislation because I believe it would make our communities less safe,” she said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a special session on this, before the regular session.”
If the bill passes, Florida would become the 26th state to allow concealed carry without a permit.
Current concealed carry permit laws require holders to be 21 years old and complete a series of safety courses.
Permits are between $97 and $119 in fees, and course prices range from $30 to $100.
The proposed bill would only eliminate permits for concealed carry. Floridians would still need a permit to carry weapons outdoors.