The Florida State Senate has passed legislation that will allow the carrying of a concealed weapon in public without a government-issued permit, making it one of Ron DeSantis’ top priorities.
In addition, the bill will end an existing state requirement to receive training before carrying a concealed weapon outside of residence. Applicants for a permit must show proficiency with a weapon by taking a firearms safety or training course. The permit application procedure also includes a background check, which will no longer be necessary if the legislation becomes law.
In a statement, the legislation indicates that it “leaves in place the current licensing process and vetting, so that those who choose to obtain a permit for reciprocity or other purposes are free to do so.”
The Republican governor declared he was proud to “support the Second Amendment” at a recent book tour event and confirmed his commitment to sign the bill when it reaches his office. “You don’t need a permission slip from the government to be able to exercise your constitutional rights,” DeSantis said.
When signed, the legislation would go into effect on July 1, making Florida the 26th state to recognize the carrying of guns without a permit. The bill was previously approved by the Florida House of Representatives last week.
As of July 1, 2022, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services reportedly rejected 4,134 permit applications because the petitioner was deemed ineligible. However, the legislation would not change who is qualified to carry a firearm in public. Also, you would still need to undergo a background check to purchase a gun.
As of last February, the state issued more than 2.6 million concealed weapons permits, CNN reported.
The legislature’s advocate, Republican State Rep. Chuck Brannan, said citizens should be able to conceal their firearms without “government interference or local preference.”
“In the state of Florida, government bureaucracy will no longer stand between law-abiding Floridians and their freedom to exercise their Second Amendment rights,” Brannan said in a statement. “This bill recognizes that while the government has a duty to protect its citizens, its citizens have a right to protect themselves.”
Although Democrats and gun control advocates have criticized the Florida governor for removing one of the few gun controls in the state, gun activists have said the measure isn’t enough. They want Florida to allow people to carry guns in public outdoors and to eliminate gun-free zones. In the entity, it is currently illegal to carry a weapon in a school or on a university campus.
“The ‘constitutional portability’ title for this bill is a lie,” said Luis Valdés, Florida director of Gun Owners of America.
De Santis openly supported open porting, but refused to use his considerable political capital to pressure lawmakers to give the green light to a less restrictive policy.
For his part, Republican Rep. Mike Beltran introduced and later withdrew an amendment that would have allowed open approval after Republican legislative leaders made their opposition known.
Critics of the bill have openly opposed the extension of gun rights, calling it “dangerous” and have spoken out about passing the legislation after the Nashville shooting that left three 9-year-old children and three adults dead. dead in a school
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