‘Constitutional carry’ introduced in Florida Legislature

Published Jan. 30, 2023, 12:24 p.m. ET | Updated Jan. 30, 2023

Florida House Speaker Paul Renner announces constitutional carry legislative proposal, Tallahassee, Fla., Jan. 30, 2023.
Florida House Speaker Paul Renner announces constitutional carry legislative proposal, Tallahassee, Fla., Jan. 30, 2023.

Ernie Sampera and Lydia Nusbaum contributed to this report.

TALLAHASSEE (FLV) – Florida House Speaker Paul Renner announced a permitless carry proposal Monday, a concept supported by Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Also known as “constitutional carry,” the proposal would allow Floridians to conceal carry a firearm without a permit.

“Floridians shouldn’t need a government permission slip to exercise their constitutional rights,” Renner said. “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.”

The bill’s sponsors are Republicans Rep. Chuck Brannan and Sen. Jay Collins.

“It’s about time. Florida is taking this huge step and what we’re doing is checking off the box again and showing that Florida is the freedom state, and showing that citizens have the right to protect themselves,” said Sheriff Wayne Ivey during the press conference.

“This bill gives our citizens the ability to exercise their second amendment, to protect themselves, their family, those around them in church, those around them at the movie theater, or anywhere they may become the victim of a violent attack.”

Current law requires people receive a permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in order to carry a concealed weapon.

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, according to the press release.

“Through their service at home and abroad, Speaker Renner and Senator Collins have sacrificed to protect our constitutional rights,” said Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. “I stand with these brave warriors, with our law enforcement leaders, and with law-abiding Floridians across this state who should not have to ask the government for permission to protect themselves.”

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. The legislation does not allow for “open carry.”

Brannan said concealed permits will also not go away for those desiring a permit for reciprocity purposes.

“Maintaining a permit is often wise when traveling out of state, as other states may require non residents to still have a permit from their state of residence. People don’t have to carry if they don’t want to. But this is a constitutional authority that people have,” Brannan said.

“Thanks to the leadership of Governor DeSantis, who has repeatedly stood up for individual rights and freedoms, we will take this monumental step to ensure that government does not interfere with a law abiding citizens ability to protect themselves and their families,” said Collins.

Throughout the press conference, speakers emphasized that “criminals don’t get a permit.”

“I know I can speak for my fellow sheriffs in saying that we don’t know of any criminal that ever planned to do a drive by shooting and in the process said ‘oh, I’ve got to go get my permit first.’ They’re gonna break the law and regardless of whether the permit’s in place or not,” Sheriff Al Nienhuis said.

Renner was asked whether there will be an effort to raise the penalty for criminal acts committed with a gun.

“The answer to that question is an affirmative yes,” he said in response.

Renner said there will be additional legislation introduced in the coming weeks, “not only to go after gun crime, people that are stealing guns out of cars, as the Sheriff mentioned, and using them in gang violence, but also to continue to expand the rights for law abiding citizens.”

Donna Michaels, a U.S. Navy veteran and former law enforcement officer, told her story about surviving a rape during her time in the military.

“I do not have the luxury of blissful ignorance when it comes to what goes on in the real world. I am cursed with the knowledge of how many evil hearts walk among us every single day looking for their next easy target. This is exactly why we need to pass constitutional carry bill, so that our sons and daughters have the ability to protect themselves from evil and level the playing field with a gun, and preserving the life and happiness they deserve,” she said.

Michaels said shortly after she retired from law enforcement, she was denied a concealed permit for unknown reasons. She said she received it nine months later.

“It is these types of government failures that put good citizens in the position between following the laws or protecting themselves and their families,” she said.

In December, DeSantis had reiterated his support for constitutional carry legislation.

“What you don’t want is to have a gun government bureaucrat stymie your ability to exercise your constitutional rights,” DeSantis previously said while expressing support for permitless carry.

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