On January 30, 2023, the National Rifle Association joined House Speaker Paul Renner and representatives from the Florida Sheriffs Association in Tallahassee to announce the introduction of a Constitutional carry bill in the Florida state legislature.
“Half of the country currently recognizes the fundamental right of law-abiding gun owners to carry a firearm for self-defense as enshrined in our Constitution,” declared Art Thomm, NRA Florida state director. “The NRA is proud to have led this effort across America and looks forward to welcoming Florida into the fold of freedom that constitutional carry provides.”
This legislation was introduced by State Representative Chuck Brannan and State Senator Jay Collins. This legislation would allow any individual who can legally carry a firearm without having to beg the government permission for exercising their God-given right to self-defense. This legislation would keep the concealed carry license system in place, thus allowing individuals who want to obtain a permit in order to carry in states that recognize Florida’s concealed carry permits to continue doing so.
Should this bill be signed into law, over half of the US would have Constitutional Carry on the books.
“Florida has long been at the forefront of supporting their citizens’ right to keep and bear arms,” stated Thomm. “We thank Gov. DeSantis for his steadfast leadership on this issue, Speaker Renner and the Florida Sheriffs Association for their backing, and the millions of law-abiding Florida gun owners for their continued support.”
However, there are no compromise gun organizations such as Gun Owners of America who oppose this permitless carry bill, HB 543, because it does not fully extend Constitutional Carry to open carry. Florida is one of the few states in the country that bans open carry.
Gun owners in Florida need to hold Republicans accountable for this legislation and ensure that true Constitutional Carry legislation is passed. We cannot settle for less, especially during a time when the Left is playing for keeps and trying to completely destroy our freedoms. Hopefully, Florida lawmakers get their act together and change this legislation or introduce new legislation that promotes full-fledged Constitutional Carry.