The legislation would permit law-abiding Floridians 21 years of age and up to concealed carry without government permission and without paying a fee. There would still be permits issued for those who want to take advantage of reciprocity in other states.
Exactly half of the country’s states currently have permitless or constitutional carry laws.
The proposal, which is expected to be signed, is part of a sweeping school safety bill which also would enhance the state’s guardian program into private schools. Florida’s Coach Aaron Feist Guardian Program enables trained security officers and teachers to carry weapons on campus.
The National Rifle Association has been at the forefront of the effort to bring permitless carry to Florida. Interim Executive Director Randy Kozuch called it a “momentous step in the constitutional carry movement as now the majority of American states recognize the Constitution protects the right for law-abiding Americans to defend themselves outside their homes without fees or permits.”
It was January when gun rights supporters in the Florida House introduced the measure. Supporters promoted the bill as a way to keep state residents safer.
It overwhelmingly passed the House last week with a 76 to 32 vote. A separate bill to lower the gun-buying age from 21 to 18 is also being considered.
After the House vote, Rep. Chuck Brannan told local media that “this bill is a big step, a big step to help the average law-abiding citizen, to keep them from having to go through the hoops of getting a permit from the government to carry their weapon.”
The measure does not affect who may legally carry. If an individual is currently prohibited from possessing a firearm, their status will not change.
There was blowback, of course, from critics who charge that the legislation does nothing to make Floridians safer. Katie Hathaway of Moms Demand Action said earlier in March that “America has seen a devastating increase in gun deaths every year and more mass shootings than days this year.”
She added that the bill is a “threat to everyone’s right to feel safe from gun violence and not be shot.”
The likely passage of this new legislation did not satisfy many gun rights supporters, who urged the state to add open carry to the measure. That action would make Florida a full constitutional carry state, though the legislature did not act on that request.
An announcement from the governor may change that in a hurry.
DeSantis attended a Georgia gathering this week and was asked about calling a special session to include open carry into the existing bill. DeSantis responded that he would make the attempt “if I can get the votes.”
The proposal headed to the governor’s desk is a significant step towards promoting the safety of everyday Florida citizens. It allows the people to be prepared and protected when law enforcement is not there on the spot as danger erupts. It addresses the need to solidify safety measures at schools, and more law-abiding citizens with the right to concealed carry is a deterrent to violent criminals.
It is also an encouraging sign that Gov. DeSantis expressed willingness to call a special session over open carry. Getting the necessary votes is key, of course, but the result would be that the state emerges as a true constitutional carry stronghold.
