Florida Republicans Propose ‘Constitutional Transfer’ Bill to 2023 Session

TALLAHASSEE, Florida. Florida Republicans are fulfilling a promise to invite gun owners to carry guns without a permit in this legislative session.

Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, announced Monday morning that a bill that, if passed, would allow gun owners to carry guns without the need for a state license.

“Florida leads the nation in allowing concealed carry,” Renner said. “It’s spreading today as we remove the government permission form.”

The 63-page bill also removes current state regulations requiring gun owners to complete training to obtain a concealed carry permit. Floridians will still have a choice, but they will no longer be bound by state law.

“We need to make sure we put the guns in the hands of good men and women, law-abiding men and women who have the right to defend themselves and others,” Renner said.

Legislators have tried illegal wearing in the past. Law enforcement security concerns thwarted all efforts. This time it may be less of a problem as the Florida Sheriffs Association is on board.

The association’s president, Sheriff Al Nienhuis, said the policy allows law-abiding citizens to better protect themselves. He dismissed concerns that the change could increase crime rates.

“I know I can vouch for my fellow sheriffs by saying that we don’t know of any criminal who planned to shoot from a drive-by and in the process said, ‘Oh, I have to get permission first. “, Nienhuis said.

Renner’s bill was also supported by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. A fellow Republican promised to sign a gun ban policy before leaving office.

Democrats vowed to fight the policy. Later that day, members of the Minority Caucus in the House of Representatives held a press conference in return. They feared the approval could cost Florida their lives and called the law “untrained wear”.

“This is a step back in time,” said Rep. Dan Daley, D-Coral Springs. “In the days of the Wild West, where any shooter can carry a gun on his hip and dispense justice at his discretion.”

National gun control activists are also joining the resistance. Those who work with former Rep. Gabby Giffords, an assassination victim, say their polls show that 68% of Florida residents oppose the no-wear law.

“In the wake of a devastating week of gun violence, our elected leaders must take steps to make us safer, not put communities at greater risk,” Giffords said in a statement. “The data clearly shows that unauthorized wear results in more violence, not less.”

Both sides will now face off in Tallahassee in the coming weeks as a new bill prepares for the upcoming March 7 legislative session.