Newsom decries Florida’s permitless carry proposal

Published Jan. 31, 2023, 9:27 a.m. ET | Updated Jan. 31, 2023

Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking with attendees at the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at the George R. Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California (Gage Skidmore).
Gov. Gavin Newsom speaking with attendees at the 2019 California Democratic Party State Convention at the George R. Moscone Convention Center in San Francisco, California (Gage Skidmore).

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (FLV) – After Florida House Speaker Paul Renner announced a “constitutional carry” proposal, California Gov. Gavin Newsom said it would cause Florida to have “higher gun homicide rates.”

“Constitutional carry” has been long-backed by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Renner previously said the legislature would be able to pass a bill of the sort.

“Floridians shouldn’t need a government permission slip to exercise their constitutional rights,” Renner said at a press conference announcing the bill. “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.”

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.

Newsom slammed the new law, and said, “Permitless carry does not make you safer. States that allow concealed carry have higher gun homicide rates.”

The California governor claimed the bill proposed by Renner would remove background checks, instruction, and “training + oversight.”

“And he’s proposing it near the 5th anniversary of Parkland,” he said.

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.”

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.”

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