Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, along with the National Rifle Association, announced a new bill in the Florida legislature that would allow a constitutional carry law to go into effect in the Sunshine State.
Renner previously stated that “the Florida House will work to expand constitutional rights that allow law-abiding citizens to defend themselves,” while Gov. Ron DeSantis said in late 2022 that the constitutional right to adoption was a top priority for legislators.
“Basically, that was something I’ve always supported,” DeSantis said.
“The last two years, it hasn’t necessarily been a priority for the legislative leadership. But we’ve been talking about it, and he is [Renner’s] he made a public commitment to move forward, and it will be something that will be done in the regular session,” the governor added.
The bill, titled HB 543: Concealed Carry of Weapons and Unlicensed Firearms, was introduced by State Representative Chuck Brannan and State Senator Jay Collins.
The NRA’s Florida state director, Art Thomm, boasted of the organization’s involvement in the effort, saying that “half the country now recognizes the fundamental right of gun owners to respect the law to carry a firearm for self-defense as enshrined in our Constitution.”
Thomm added that the NRA is looking forward to “welcoming Florida to the fold of freedom that constitutional carry offers.”
If passed, constitutional carry would allow anyone who legally owns a firearm to carry one without a permit and without paying a fee to the state. The NRA says the bill does not allow felons or any previously prohibited individual to own a firearm and complies with state and federal possession laws.
“As long as a person can legally own a handgun, they could carry a concealed handgun without applying for a permit,” said the local Florida Standard channel.
u201cBREAKING: Florida House Speaker @Paul_Renner announces constitutional gun carry law in Florida.nnAs long as a person can legally own a gun, they could carry a concealed handgun without applying for a permit .u201d
— The Florida Standard (@TheFloridaStandard) 1675094178
The right to constitutional input is a growing trend among states. About half of US jurisdictions allow constitutional carry, and most states now allow open carry of guns as well.
“We thank Governor DeSantis for his strong leadership on this issue, President Renner and the Florida Sheriffs Association for their support, and the millions of law-abiding Florida gun owners for their continued support.” said the NRA representative.
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