Permitless Carry – Man shooting gun at gun range – Courtesy: Shutterstock – Image by Prath
Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill into law allowing people to carry concealed weapons in public without a permit or training.
Before the actual start of the legislative session, almost all of the legislation’s committee stops were completed as it advanced fast through the approval process.
Individuals on both sides of the gun debate have expressed opposition to the law, yet, it has been hailed as a victory for the Second Amendment by legislative leaders.
The law becomes effective on July 1, here’s what you need to know.
What is it saying regarding training?
Applicants for concealed carry in Florida must currently pass a firearms training course that includes firing a gun in front of an instructor in order to prove their “competence.” In 2016, the live-fire clause was included.
However, under the new law, Floridians can carry a concealed handgun without receiving any special training.
Both Sen. Jay Collins (R-Tampa) and Rep. Chuck Brannan (R-Macclenny) have stated that they think training is vital but that it is a personal duty.
Democrats tried to reinstate some kind of training requirement with failed amendments.
The bill’s proponents, including Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri, claim that the present training programs are insufficient by themselves.
According to the legislation, the Department of Law Enforcement will get $1.5 million to set up grants for local police enforcement organizations to build up their own guns training programs.
Is it okay to carry openly?
No, much to the chagrin of some pro-gun activists who showed up to speak at the bill’s numerous locations.
House Speaker Paul Renner stated the law would not permit the open carrying of firearms in public when he initially unveiled it in January. That held true despite pressure from pro-gun organizations.
Renner declared his support for open carry, although the Republican caucus expressed some reservations. According to Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, sheriffs she has spoken to oppose open carry and she respects their judgment.
Can everyone possess a firearm?
The law states that only those who meet the conditions for a concealed carry licence are permitted to carry a pistol in public. Being a citizen, being over 21, not having a felony conviction that disqualifies you, not having certain misdemeanor domestic violence charges, and not having an injunction are some examples of what that entails.
Who can and cannot purchase a firearm is not changed by the measure. Current state and federal rules, including as those requiring background checks for purchases of firearms, continue to be in effect. Gun purchases are not subject to license or training requirements.
Those who use private-seller loopholes to escape a background check may end up carrying a concealed weapon in public without being vetted, according to opponents’ concerns. Nonetheless, proponents of the bill claim that those who will break the law already will.
Does it abolish Florida’s permit system?
No. If they so choose, anyone in Florida can still apply for and receive concealed-carry permits after completing training. Those possessing a Florida concealed carry permit can utilize that permit throughout the majority of U.S. states.
A permit costs $55 for an active Florida law enforcement officer and $97 for first-time applicants. There can also be additional tax expenses.
Further provisions of the new law?
The Senate’s version of the bill incorporated a number of amendments to the school safety regulations that had been put in place following the horrific Parkland massacre in 2018. Later, the House included that package in the legislation that was approved.
The legislation makes private schools eligible for the school guardian program. A school employee is allowed to carry a concealed weapon on school property thanks to the guardian program.
The private school allowance, according to Gualtieri, who provided advice on the legislation’s school safety provisions, is even more important in light of the shooting that left three children and three teachers dead at a Christian school in Nashville, Tennessee.
The measure also mandates that the Office of Safe Schools establish a standard system for making referrals to mental health treatment providers as part of its behavioral threat assessment process. Also, a member of the threat assessment team must be personally acquainted with the pupil being evaluated.
The law also establishes the Florida Safe Schools Canine Program, which permits the use of canines trained to detect guns in participating schools.
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Melissa’s career in writing started more than 20 years ago. Today, she lives in South Florida with her husband and two boys.
