Florida lawmakers split over 6-week abortion ban and bill to ban concealed carry weapons

TALLAHASSEE, Florida. (WSVN) — Florida lawmakers battled several controversial bills and measures on the second day of legislative session at the State Capitol.

The Republican supermajority and their Democratic opponents got to work on Wednesday.

“We do work for people. We’re doing it in a bipartisan manner,” Florida Rep. Danny Perez said.

Meanwhile, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis hit the road the day after his State of the Union address.

“Why don’t we talk about things that really matter?” he said during the stop.

Back at the Capitol, there’s a lot of controversy.

We are talking about a six-week ban on abortion, except in cases of rape and incest. The patient will have to produce it along with a police report or a court order.

Perez, a Miami-Dade County Republican, said it was reasonable.

“In order to have these exceptions, they will have to comply with this in order to make this very difficult decision,” he said. “You have to remember that the purpose of the bill – not just for the sponsor of the bill, but for those who are going to vote for the bill – is to protect the unborn child.”

The bill is not liked by some Democrats in the Senate.

“Let me, as a sexual abuse survivor, be clear about what this liberation really is: crap. Because did I, when I was raped and driven to gang rape, go to the police? No!” said Florida State Senator Lauren Book.

Meanwhile, opponents of the proposal to do away with concealed carry permits say it overturns some of the gun safety measures put in place in the aftermath of the Parkland shooting.

But others say many protections will remain in place.

“The difference is that you no longer have to ask the government for permission or a license to hide your weapons,” Perez said.

Some opposition was predictable.

“Illegal carrying is reckless and extreme,” the Florida state senator said. Alexis Calatayud.

Others say they are against it because it does not include being able to openly carry weapons in plain sight without permission.

“In my opinion, this bill does not go far enough,” said an opponent of the bill.

And late Wednesday night, the so-called “Live Local” bill was sent to the House of Representatives. It aims to increase the affordability of affordable housing through tax credits and increased funding for existing programs.

Opponents say it deprives local governments of the ability to enforce rent controls and partial zoning.

This measure met with little resistance. It was passed by the House of Representatives unanimously after the first reading.

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