Florida lawmakers introduced legislation on Monday that would allow individuals to carry a concealed firearm without needing a permit, Fox News reports.
HB 543: Concealed Carry of Handguns Without a Licensehttps://t.co/I28nN2pkK6 pic.twitter.com/tUjw64qCvw
— Florida Carry (@FloridaCarryInc) January 30, 2023
Florida lawmakers introduce bill to allow permitless concealed carry
https://t.co/a7ku98eUkZ— Ian Miles Cheong (@stillgray) January 30, 2023
Rep. Chuck Brannan (R) introduced HB 543 to protect the 2nd amendment rights of Floridians.
“Our right to bear arms, of course, is enshrined in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,” said Brannan during a press conference.
“The bill that I will file later today continues to advance Second Amendment freedoms through legislation known as ‘constitutional carry.’”
As Fox News noted, Florida’s move to be a constitutional carry state would mean the majority of states would meet that definition.
USCCA explained further:
In 2022, four states — Alabama, Ohio, Indiana and Georgia — passed constitutional carry or permitless carry laws, making them the 22nd, 23rd, 24th and 25th states to do so. Fifty percent of U.S. states have passed laws permitting constitutional carry or permitless carry in the last two decades. Which states will be next in 2023?
It appears the Sunshine State may be the first to pass such legislation in 2023.
Unsurprisingly, the proposed bill faced criticism from gun control advocates.
“Permitless carry does not make you safer. States that allow concealed carry have higher gun homicide rates,” said California Gov. Gavin Newsom.
FACT: Permitless carry does not make you safer. States that allow concealed carry have higher gun homicide rates.
DeSantis’ bill would remove:
-background checks
-instruction
-training+oversightAnd he’s proposing it near the 5th anniversary of Parkland https://t.co/N4W3GLAt6V
— Gavin Newsom (@GavinNewsom) January 30, 2023
“’Permitless concealed carry’ is the OPPOSITE of commonsense gun safety. Let’s work to curb gun violence and keep dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands,” said White House Domestic Policy Advisor Susan Rice.
“Permitless concealed carry” is the OPPOSITE of commonsense gun safety. Let’s work to curb gun violence and keep dangerous weapons out of the wrong hands. https://t.co/DAJb9Azzl0
— Susan Rice (@AmbRice46) January 31, 2023
Fox News reported:
Brannan introduced HB 543 on Monday alongside Florida House Speaker Paul Renner and a handful of law enforcement officials who lauded the legislation as a step to further protect law-abiding citizens.
Criminals “are getting guns anyway,” Brannan said.
“They’re breaking into houses, they’re breaking into cars, and they’re carrying guns illegally,” he added. “They don’t care what the law says. We are only giving our law-abiding citizens a simpler way to have the ability to protect themselves, their families, their homes and their places of business.”
The bill would allow lawful gun owners in the state to carry without asking the government for a permit and without paying a fee. Those who wish to still obtain a permit can do so if the bill becomes law. The bill would also not change who can and cannot carry a firearm.
Thank you to Speaker @Paul_Renner, Representative Chuck Brannan, and Senator @JayCollinsFL for having the sheriffs today to announce legislation for Constitutional Permitless Carry.
“Our Constitution protects gun ownership rights and the ability to carry a firearm…"
🧵(1/3) pic.twitter.com/K9E93Pdwvp
— Florida Sheriffs Association (@FLSheriffs) January 30, 2023
"…themselves and their families from those criminals who intend to do them harm. The Florida Sheriffs Association supports constitutional permitless carry, and we look forward to working with @GovRonDeSantis and the Legislature on this issue.”
🧵(3/3) pic.twitter.com/VagqQCZQih
— Florida Sheriffs Association (@FLSheriffs) January 30, 2023
HB 543 states:
Concealed Carry of Weapons and Firearms Without a License; Authorizes person to carry concealed weapon or concealed firearm if he or she is licensed to do so or meets specified requirements; requires person who is carrying concealed weapon or concealed firearm without license to carry identification & display upon demand by law enforcement; prohibits person who is carrying concealed weapon or concealed firearm without license from carrying such weapon or firearm in specified locations; authorizes nonresident to carry concealed weapon or concealed firearm in this state if he or she meets same requirements as resident; provides person authorized to carry concealed weapon or concealed firearm without license is subject to specified penalties for possessing such weapon or firearm at school-sponsored event or on school property.
If passed, the bill would be effective on July 1st, 2023.
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