DeSantis says he’s open to special session for open carry

Published Mar. 31, 2023, 10:20 a.m. ET | Updated Mar. 31, 2023

Gov. Ron DeSantis calls for statewide ban on use of central bank digital currency, Panama City, Fla., March 20, 2023. (Photo/Gov. Ron DeSantis' office)
Gov. Ron DeSantis calls for statewide ban on use of central bank digital currency, Panama City, Fla., March 20, 2023. (Photo/Gov. Ron DeSantis' office)

COBB COUNTY, Ga. (FLV) – At a speaking event in Georgia Thursday evening, Gov. Ron DeSantis was asked by a member of the crowd his thoughts on calling a potential Special Session of the Florida Legislature to pass “open carry” legislation.

“Will you call a special session for open carry?” a woman asked in a video uploaded by Matt Collins.

“If I can get the votes,” DeSantis replied.

“Open carry” would take the current permitless carry bill that was passed by the Legislature one step further – legalizing those qualified to own firearms in the state carrying a firearm openly.

Under the bill that was recently sent to DeSantis for final signature, Floridians who legally purchase or own a handgun may carry it in areas where permitted without a concealed carry permit, which supporters of the legislation dubbed “government permission slips” to exercise 2nd Amendment rights.

Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, sponsored the bill in the Senate. It was carried by Rep. Robert Charles Brannan, R-Macclenny, and Rep. Bobby Payne, R-Palatka.

It is unclear whether enough lawmakers in both chambers would support open carry.

DeSantis has repeatedly said he is a proponent of pro-gun legislation like “constitutional carry,” whether it is permitless or open carry. He said he views both as wins, and wouldn’t veto either.

Florida GOP legislative leadership earlier in March responded to open carry advocates.

“The bottom line, though, is after this bill passes is that people will have a constitutional right to carry for their own self defense and those of others,” House Speaker Paul Renner, R-Palm Coast, said. “The fact that it doesn’t include open carry still gives them the right to carry without that permission slip.”

Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, when asked whether she supports open carry, deferred to the expertise of state law enforcement.

“I will support the Sheriffs of this state, who are the experts, I am not an expert. I don’t know one end of a gun from another. So I certainly want to support the experts,” Passidomo said.

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