Does Constitutional Carry Stand A Chance In Florida?
BY Herschel Smith
3 years ago
Some top Florida Republican lawmakers have now said they would support constitutional carry legislation in the upcoming session.
The policy would allow all legal gun owners to carry firearms without a concealed weapons license.
The constitutional carry legislation was filed by the Legislature’s most outspoken conservative member, Rep. Anthony Sabatini.
“Our very liberal Republican Speaker Chris Sprowls has gotten tens of thousands of emails from gun groups,” said Sabatini.
The policy is split into two bills.
The first would allow gun owners to carry concealed weapons without a license.
“You don’t have to go ask the government for permission,” said Sabatini.
The second would allow for open carry.
“You shouldn’t have the duty to hide your firearm if you’ve done nothing wrong,” said Sabatini.
Eskamani said she’s doubtful Sabatini’s bills will get a hearing, due to his strained relationship with the House speaker.
“Sabatini does not have a lot of leverage within the chamber,” said Eskamani.
But recently, top brass in the Senate indicated they would support constitutional carry legislation, including Senate Majority Leader Debbie Mayfield.
“I support constitutional carry. That is one of the things that we will probably be looking at this session because it is important,” said Mayfield in a legislative delegation meeting last week.
Florida GOP Chair and State Sen. Joe Gruters said he might support constitutional carry, but doesn’t want to see assault weapons openly carried on beaches.
“Because I think that would adversely impact Florida’s tourism economy,” said Gruters.
While there seems to be some support for constitutional carry legislation in the Senate, a bill hasn’t yet been filed in the chamber.
I predict it won’t go anywhere this session. Florida has a horrible history on gun control. But it will eventually pass in coming sessions with enough effort.
You know what would help the case? If Governor Ron DeSantis went on record for his support for the measure, and even demanded a bill be brought to his desk for approval before any other bill would be considered by the governor.
I also predict he won’t do that.
On October 7, 2021 at 9:47 pm, Frank Clarke said:
DeSantis is more maverick that McStain ever wished he could have been.
On October 7, 2021 at 9:47 pm, Frank Clarke said:
*than*
On October 8, 2021 at 11:24 am, Elon Muskox said:
Probably from about the time that a “Make My Day law” first appeared in the news (Colorado, 1985), I have noted that Florida, Texas and Tennessee have pretty much mirrored each other in embracing new major gun laws. Sometimes it can be two or three years apart, but eventually it seems always to even out. For instance, Florida passed “Stand Your Ground” in 2005, followed by Texas and Tennessee in 2007.
Tennessee enacted CC earlier this year. It’s the rare case for Tennessee to be the first to test the waters but I wouldn’t expect the other two to miss an opportunity to remain in step.
On October 8, 2021 at 12:49 pm, Fred said:
Thank you mister muskox ( at which I lol’d actual), just to be thorough and clear, TN codified stand your ground. It was already generally accepted by all the DAs even state DA. Practice was made law in this case.
As to TN con carry, it’s NOT. You can’t carry a gun anywhere at all that guns are otherwise restricted by permit. You’ll go to jail if you act as though you have con carry here. And, the con carry law OUTLAWED the carrying of guns with a barrel 12 inches or more.
This is an entirely new class of weapon ban that exists nowhere in the country or federally. In fact, this created a whole new category of weapon that the ATF has zero rules about or determinations.
On October 8, 2021 at 2:09 pm, I R A Darth Aggie said:
Some portion of the committees are already in Tallahassee doing pre-session work, or will be soon. Session starts first full week of January.
On October 8, 2021 at 4:03 pm, AMR said:
While I am for constitutional carry, but without open carry for two reasons. Open carry marks you for the bad guy while I understand that the open carrying person could cause the bad guy(s) to think twice about opening fire. Second, I know enough people who are so afraid of guns that open carry would scare the hell out of them. Yes, the fear is basically irrational but exists especially since the rules in the 1968 gun control law on who cannot posess firearms are not enforced very wel.
My one son’s wife and her side of the family are that irrational. Heck, my son’s first house’s location became somewhat dangerous over time with them being harassed and she would not let him purchase a firearm. While others’ fear should in a perfect world not guide my actions, I just think overall concealed carry is enough for personal protection as I do whenever it is legal in the 30 states that recognized my permit.
If I have to be tolerant of gay marriage and abortion, which is not in the text of the Constitution, the 2nd Amendment should permit national reciprocity for the Constitutional right to carry.
On October 8, 2021 at 4:18 pm, Fred said:
So you want national gun control relevant to the wearing of arms? It’s gun advocates like you that cause all the problems we’ve had since the NRA was invented.
On October 8, 2021 at 9:54 pm, Herschel Smith said:
@AMR,
What you described is a very good reason you should do whatever you wish to do. You don’t want to open carry. That’s fine with me.
Your personal beliefs concerning what you should do based on what others think should have nothing whatsoever to do with my liberties.
We don’t make laws to govern how people look. At least, not in a free country.