Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis has scored yet another massive victory for liberty in the state of Florida by signing a brand new piece of legislation into law that will allow residents to carry a concealed firearm without obtaining a permit. With the signing of this bill, the vast majority of states in the country now have constitutional carry laws in place, according to a statement that was released by the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action.
“The NRA applauds Florida for becoming the 26th state to adopt the vital Constitutional Carry legislation,” NRA-ILA Interim Executive Director Randy Kozuch said during an interview with Fox News. “This NRA-spearheaded initiative empowers Floridians to exercise their Second Amendment rights without undue bureaucratic barriers, affirming the fundamental right to self-defense.”
“We thank Gov. DeSantis for his support of self-defense and Second Amendment laws and for prioritizing the safety and security of Florida residents,” Kozuch stated, later going on to add: “We extend our gratitude to the Florida legislature and all those who have worked tirelessly to make this a reality in the Sunshine State.”
The new legislation allows eligible citizens who are at least 21 years old to carry a firearm without needing a permit or paying a taxation fee.
“The bill received overwhelming support in the Florida legislature – 76-32 in the House and 27-13 in the Senate – thanks to supermajorities have Republicans have in both chambers,” the report concluded.
“You don’t need a permission slip from the government to be able to exercise your constitutional rights,” DeSantis went on to say about the Second Amendment, according to Politico. And he’s absolutely correct. The right to defend yourself using the weapons of the day comes from God, a principle found in Exodus 32. Mankind cannot strip you of your rights because they are from the Supreme Being.
“Here in the free state of Florida, government will not get in the way of law-abiding Americans who want to defend themselves and their families,” state Sen. Jay Collins, a Tampa Republican and sponsor of the legislation, went on to say.
“DeSantis has said he supports open carry, but top Republicans in the state Senate — including Senate President Kathleen Passidomo — oppose such a policy. Passidomo has cited the opposition of many of Florida’s sheriffs as a prime reason for her stance,” Politico reported.
“The governor is weak if he cannot even get his own super majority legislature to add part of his agenda, which is open carry, to the permitless carry bill,” Matt Collins, a gun rights supporter and former lobbyist for gun-rights groups, stated about the bill. “It’s embarrassing for him. It’s failed leadership and it hurts his chances in the upcoming presidential primary.”
As you can probably imagine, Democrats were not happy at all about this bill being passed, especially in light of the tragedy at a Nashville Christian School.
“Hiding behind closed doors and standing shoulder to shoulder with the NRA, Ron DeSantis just signed legislation that could make it easier for criminals to carry guns,” Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison rambled on in a statement. “DeSantis knows this legislation could be dangerous for Florida families and that’s why he signed this bill with none of his usual produced fanfare.”
As of right now, Florida law actually considered it a felony to have a concealed weapon without a permit. There are over 2.6 million people who have concealed weapon licenses who have to go through a training and background check before they can be issued the permit.
The new law will fully go into effect sometime in July.
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