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Florida Lawmaker Proposes Bill To Allow Concealed Carry Without A Permit
January 31, 2023
Monday, Florida House Speaker Paul Renner unveiled legislation that would allow residents to carry a concealed weapon without a license.
Dubbed “Constitutional Carry’, the bill would allow Floridians who are currently qualified to obtain and maintain a CWL to carry a concealed handgun or weapon without a license.
“Floridians shouldn’t need a government permission slip to exercise their constitutional rights,” said Renner. “House Bill 543 will ensure Florida will remain a beacon of freedom. Florida was the pioneer in the modern carry movement in America and this historic legislation continues our proud tradition.”
A person carrying concealed without a license will still be required to obey existing laws prohibiting carrying in such places as schools, athletic events, and correctional facilities. The bill does not affect laws relating to the purchase of a firearm and will not allow anyone prohibited from possessing a firearm to carry concealed.
Local Rep. Michelle Salzman is a co-sponsor of the bill.
Florida would become the 26th state, including Alabama, to allow citizens to carry weapons without a permit.
Comments
29 Responses to “Florida Lawmaker Proposes Bill To Allow Concealed Carry Without A Permit”
Good Lord, just when you think that Florida couldn’t get any more absurd, they pull out something like this. When you get everybody and their brother armed to the teeth what happens is squabbles that ordinarily result in fist to cuffs end up with a shooting. Suicides also increase when guns are at hand. Let the mayhem begin!
At least the criminal dosn’t know who has a gun. Stand Your Ground Law to stay in effect.
@Robert Bruner, the reason you do not hear about it, is because the liberal media stomps those stories out because it does not fit their political agenda.
Do a little research and you can find many accounts of an armed citizen saving lives. You’ll just never hear one on CNN or MSNBC
@Bob, et al. ~ We don’t have a “gun problem”, we have a criminal problem. Bearing arms is a Constitutional right, not a favor for nervous nannies to hand out when it pleases them.
Oh the wailing and gnashing of teeth.
There are more concealed weapons out there than you know-both lawfully and unlawfully.
Want one? Get one. Don’t want one? Don’t. See how easy it is?
Should some not get one? Sure.
Other states have it, calm down; FL will be ok.
Show me an article from Escambia County where a “good guy with a gun” ever did anything worth all this trouble and hot air. I hear about it happening once every 6 months in the US. Even the NRA magazine has a hard time making a good case in it’s Good Guy section.
@Eric M
I know the process Eric. I have a concealed carry permit. It was stupid easy.
Criminals get guns from the black market. The black market gets guns from negligent gun owners. Shoving more guns into the hands of stupid people that are not able or willing to properly secure their firearms leads to more firearms on the black market, more criminals with guns, and even more gun violence.
@bob … to get a concealed carry permit you must undergo an FBI and FDLE criminal background check, you must get fingerprinted at the sheriff’s office, must have in-class training by a certified firearms instructor, and them must pass a weapons qualification test. This is in addition to spending money on all sorts of licensing fees. If you’re not military, the process can take months. So to say it is too easy to get one, shows your lack of knowledge on the topic.
As far as purchasing a gun, you must pass an FDLE and FBI background check, minus a few exceptions.
Generally speaking, the bad guys don’t do any of this. They just buy a gun from someone on the street, conceal the gun, then go out and commit crimes. I think you are confusing criminals and regular citizens when you say its easy.
@JR … “Nuclear Clearance”??? Forgive me, I’m Army, never heard of such a thing. I know the standard ones, like top secret, etc. I guess thats akin to our ‘White House Security Clearance’? Anyway, not sure why yours took 9 months. Mine too two weeks (held various security clearances) and my wife’s took only 30 days with no clearances. Anyway, Florida law requires fast track approvals for current/prior service, which a decision must be made in 30 days.
@Jr
Yep, I have two guns and a CCP. It was stupid easy to get all three.
Criminals get guns by straw purchases or by stealing them from negligent gun owners and selling them on the black market.
I’m not opposed to people owning firearms, but right now the requirements are way too lax.
Owning a gun is a massive responsibility. If my neighbors aren’t willing to act like a “well regulated militia”, practice basic gun safety, and properly store their weapons when not in use, then they should not own guns.
Seriously. We’re handing guns to idiots who then funnel them to the black market, then insist the only solution is giving those idiots more guns so they can funnel them to the black market.
And people wonder why we have a gun problem.
BT……. in Uvalde Texas
“Meanwhile Texas allows open carry, and you never hear anything about mass shootings”
You sure about that?
Charging someone to carry a weapon is analogous to a Poll Tax. Criminals carry guns without permits. Law abiding citizens should have the same privilege. Sheriffs raise alarm, only because the money from Carry Permits goes into a discretionary fund with little or no oversight.
Second amendment is all the permit I need,stay locked and loaded friends.Its a jungle out there. A.W.Thompson
Hey @Bob…have you ever tried to purchase a firearm?(I know you will say yes just to argue your point) have you ever tried to get a CCP? It’s not as east as you say/think it is. I have Nuclear Clearance and it took 9 months to get a CCP. I’ve went in and purchased firearms and yes, I don’t mind waiting the 3 days…I’ve gotten them in the 3 day period than a few firearms I’ve purchased has taken several months to get back. So you see, it’s not as easy as you claim it is and I have a clean record and the clearances I have. Not sure what you are basing your claim on but I, personally, dont buy it. Criminals are going to get guns anyway they can so why not even the playing field.
@Bob, if you think “our” state is stupid for this maybe you’d be a better fit in California. Pretty sure they have anti-gun laws there that’ll suit you just fine. Just don’t go out anywhere dancing or celebrating………..they have shooters there and nobody to protect you!
Strange that California has some one the strictest gun laws in the country and have had a spike in shootings. Meanwhile Texas allows open carry, and you never hear anything about mass shootings. Perhaps criminals in Texas know they are subject to be shot back at.
Amazing how many people want the government to restrict freedom. If you don’t like freedom you are free to leave.
It is about time. Not everyone can afford a permit. There are too many permits required now. There are so many laws and requirements and taxes, that it is amazing that most can pay for shelter, food and clothing. Most lawmakers do not seem to be struggling for necessities. Not all are on the “take,” but neither are all citizens ignorant. There was a time when I needed to be armed, but could not afford a permit. So I felt at the mercy of those who didn’t obey the laws. Not fair. I think with more people armed, there would be less crime.
Having or not having a concealed weapons permit will not stop criminals from doing what they’re gonna do… drugs are illegal but people still do them… Drinking and driving is illegal but people still do it… so a permit is not gonna make a difference one way or another
Just wondering, if they pass this, will it still be possible to get a CWL in Florida? I understand it wouldn’t be *needed* here, but for those people who travel, a Florida CWL is accepted reciprocally in many other states, including states that wouldn’t have a law like this in place.
Good lord our state is stupid.
It is already way too easy to purchase a firearm and get a concealed carry permit. There are already way too many untrained, irresponsible, negligent gun owners who are expecting a shootout in Applebee’s.
“Floridians shouldn’t need a government permission slip to exercise their constitutional rights,” is a cool sentiment. If he means it, he’ll be introducing a bill to eliminate voter registration… I mean, unless he thinks you DO need a government permission slip to exercise SOME constitutional rights.
The Wild West is coming to Florida!
Get ready for Swift Justice!
Everybody that wants too carrys now. Thugs carry all the time. This will give citizens an equeal chance.
Current law has no effect on armed criminals who do what they want anyway
This acknowledgement (restoration) of Constitutional rights will allow law-abiding citizens to protect themselves, their loved ones, and other innocents.
Happy to see this
The Second Amendment is the law. The lawmakers need to quit messing around with it. This bill is just a token.
What took them so long?
What could possibly go wrong?