The House of Delegates has approved a bill letting anyone who’s at least 21 and covered by a protective order to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. But the measures are likely dead in the Senate, where there is bipartisan opposition.
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Two Republicans, Rep. Ray Pilon, of Sarasota, and Rep. Bill Hager, of Delray Beach, voted with Democrats against campus carry. The other would allow concealed carry on college campuses.
The open-carry proposal (CS/HB 163) was approved 80-38.
After a separate House vote, college campuses would no longer be a place where citizens can not carry.
“I don’t think that an individual’s right to defend themselves against any attacker -whether it be a terrorist or a mass shooter, whether it be in a restaurant or a mall or a shopping plaza – that right shouldn’t cede just because they walk onto a college campus”, Steube said.
The Florida Police Chiefs Association supports it, but groups representing sheriffs and police officers are opposed.
Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar, would make it legal for anyone with a concealed weapons permit to openly carry their firearm in public. He says private property owners should decide their own weapons policies.
“There are those of us who want to be free from guns”, Geller said.
“Well, they don’t matter as much, Representative Geller”, said Gaetz during a heated debate.
Republicans supported the bills with arguments that they protect gun owners’ constitutional rights and make the state safer.
“This open carry bill will not be a positive thing for many of our African-American men, said Rep. Mia Jones, D-Jacksonville”. An amendment added to the bill allows concealed carry in legislative meetings.
Earlier, Republicans voted down amendments proposed by Democrats that would prohibit openly carrying guns near schools, churches, movie theaters and in bars.
“To me if you are taking away an exemption, especially for someone else, you should live by that same standard and so it should be all across the board”, Gardiner said. “And I don’t intend to withdraw any bills out of that committee”, Gardiner says.
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Victims of gun violence said it’s the wrong approach for public safety.
