Florida’s Republican-controlled Legislature passed a bill Thursday to allow people to carry concealed loaded weapons anywhere without permits.
Now, the bill goes to Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has indicated repeatedly that he would sign the bill.
The measure would eliminate existing requirements regarding concealed weapons permits. This includes an additional layer of background checks, licensing, and firearms training.
Current Florida law requires that anyone who wants to conceal carry concealed weapons in public must obtain a license from the state. The new law will not allow people who are prohibited from purchasing or carrying guns in Florida under any other laws to do so under the new law.
The bill was passed by the state Senate on Thursday afternoon. Last week, the House passed the corresponding bill. The supermajority of both chambers is held by Republican legislators.
The bill , which is dubbed “constitutional bear” by conservatives and gun right activists and “permitless bear” by gun safety advocates, gun safety activists, gun safety activists, supporters gun restrictions and neutral groups people would have to only have valid IDs while concealing weapons. Failing to do so will result in a $25 penalty.
Three days after a gunman opened fire at a Nashville school, killing six students including three children aged 9 and 9. He is due to visit an Atlanta gun shopThursday. Georgia Democrats have urged him to reschedule.
Democrats criticized DeSantis and criticised Republicans for passing the bill in just a few seconds.
“Florida Republicans delivered exactly what Ron DeSantis requested in his shameless attempt to raise his national profile, and win over his MAGA base,” Nikki Fried, chair of the state Democratic Party said in a statement.
DeSantis, who is likely to run for the presidency in 2024, has suggested that he will sign the measure. He stated repeatedly that “was something I supported” and that “will be done” during the legislative session. DeSantis has also pledged to deliver such legislation before he leaves office.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is expected to sign the permitless carry bill.
Phil Sears / AP file
“A constitution right shouldn’t require a permission slip by the government. He stated that it was time for us to join 25 other states in enacting constitutional carry in Florida in his State Address to the Legislaturethis Month.
Unable to answer questions regarding when and if DeSantis would sign the measure, a spokesperson was not available.
The bill will be law if it becomes law. Florida, the scene of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando and 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High school in Parkland — , will be the 26th State to allow concealed loaded guns to be carried anywhere without permits. This is a growing trend which has alarming gun safety groups.
These groups spent heavily on advertising to oppose the bill. However, due to the GOP supermajority, the bill always had an easy path to passage.
The bill was wrapped in measures Republican legislators claimed would increase school safety. These included creating a standard school threat assessment process and expanding the program that allows school employees to carry guns at school. Democrats have dismissed the combination as a political ploy designed to make the permitless-carry proposal more appealing to voters.
As he prepares a road map for his possible 2024 bid, DeSantis made the permitless carry bill one of several priorities during the current legislative session.
In the current session, the Legislature will also be considering bills to further restrict diversity efforts in public universities and increase the ability to sue media outlets to defame — all measures that could shed light on the direction of a possible DeSantis presidential campaign.
The Senate will also vote on an abortion ban after six weeks of gestation. Before it is voted on by the full chamber, the measure will be subject to one final committee vote.
