Simone Lawson
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill allowing residents to carry concealed guns without a permit, a policy known as constitutional carry. The bill, signed in April 2023, allows anyone who can legally own a gun in Florida to carry one in public without a permit, training, or a background check. Florida is now the 26th state to pass such a law, joining a list that includes Georgia, Alabama, Alaska, and Texas. DeSantis, who has been praised by gun rights advocates, has also stated that he thinks Florida should go further and allow people to openly carry guns.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Constitutional carry | Allows people to carry firearms without a government permit |
| Governor DeSantis's stance | Supports constitutional carry |
| Bill signing status | Signed |
| Year of signing | 2023 |
| State | Florida |
| Number of states that allow constitutional carry | 26 |
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What You'll Learn
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the bill
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill on April 3, 2023, allowing residents to carry concealed guns without a permit. The bill signing took place during a private ceremony after the Legislature passed it on Thursday. DeSantis' only immediate public comment was, "Constitutional Carry is in the books."
The new law will allow anyone who can legally own a gun in Florida to carry one without a permit. This means that training and background checks will not be required to carry concealed guns in public. The bill signing gives the governor another legislative victory as he prepares a campaign for the Republican nomination for president of the United States.
DeSantis has long been a supporter of expanding gun rights. In February 2022, he expressed his expectation that the GOP-majority Legislature would address "constitutional carry" in a special session that year. On April 1, he reiterated his support for the change. DeSantis' gubernatorial platform included support for legislation that would allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry firearms openly.
The signing of the bill has been praised by gun rights advocates and the National Rifle Association (NRA). However, it has also faced criticism from opponents who argue that it is "absurd political pandering" from a state with a history of mass shootings and high rates of gun violence. Florida now joins over two dozen other states in allowing "constitutional carry," or the carrying of firearms without a government permit.
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No permit or license needed to carry a gun
In April 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill to allow Floridians to carry concealed guns without a permit. This bill, known as "constitutional carry", gives anyone who can legally own a gun in Florida the right to carry one without a permit, training, or a background check.
The bill was passed by the Legislature on Thursday and signed by DeSantis in a private ceremony in his office on Monday. The governor's only immediate public comment was, "Constitutional Carry is in the books." The new law will take effect on July 1, 2023.
Constitutional carry means that the state's law does not prohibit citizens who can legally possess a firearm from carrying handguns, either openly or in a concealed manner, without a state permit. In some states, constitutional carry may be conditional, requiring a permit to carry a concealed handgun but not to carry a handgun openly.
The bill has been praised by gun rights advocates, who argue that law-abiding citizens have a right to carry guns and protect themselves. However, it has also faced criticism from those who believe it is irresponsible and an insult to the memories of victims of gun violence.
Prior to the bill's passing, people who wanted to carry guns in Florida were required to obtain concealed-weapons licenses from the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The new law eliminates this requirement, allowing individuals to carry guns without a license.
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The bill is backed by the NRA
The bill, which allows Floridians to carry concealed guns without a permit, was signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis. The bill, also known as "constitutional carry", allows anyone who can legally own a gun in Florida to carry one without a permit. This means that training and background checks will not be required to carry concealed guns in public.
The NRA has been a strong advocate for gun rights and has backed most state gun laws passed since the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012. In the years following the tragedy, states enacted nearly 600 new gun laws, with nearly two-thirds of those backed by the NRA. The organization has also been pushing for federal legislation that would require every state to recognize other states' gun-carrying permits, making it easier to carry a concealed gun across the country.
Opponents of the "constitutional carry" bill, such as Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, have criticized the legislation as "absurd political pandering" and an "insult to the memories and families of every victim of gun violence". They argue that Florida, a state with a history of mass shootings, should be passing laws to prevent gun violence rather than expanding access to firearms.
The NRA's support for the bill aligns with its history of backing legislation that expands gun rights and loosens restrictions on firearms. While the organization has faced criticism from gun control advocates, it continues to wield significant influence in politics and has been successful in advancing its agenda.
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DeSantis's gubernatorial platform
Ron DeSantis's gubernatorial platform included support for legislation that would allow people with concealed weapons permits to carry firearms openly. DeSantis has also supported a law mandating the use of E-Verify by businesses and a state-level ban on sanctuary city protections for undocumented immigrants. He promised to stop the spread of polluted water from Lake Okeechobee and expressed support for a state constitutional amendment to require a supermajority vote for any tax increases. DeSantis opposed allowing able-bodied, childless adults to receive Medicaid. He said he would implement a medical cannabis program while opposing the legalization of recreational cannabis.
DeSantis has also been a supporter of the so-called ""constitutional carry" legislation, which would allow people to carry firearms without a government permit. In 2022, DeSantis told an audience that he expected the GOP-majority Legislature to address the issue in a special session that year. In April 2023, he repeated his backing of the change. On April 3, 2023, DeSantis signed a bill to carry concealed guns without a permit, allowing anyone who could legally own a gun in Florida to carry one without a permit. This bill removed the requirements for training and background checks to carry concealed guns in public.
DeSantis has also been an advocate for expanding pro-life protections. In 2022, he signed into law a bill that banned abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for serious risks to the pregnant woman's health or fatal fetal abnormalities. This law went into effect in July 2022, pending judicial review.
DeSantis was governor during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hurricane Ian, and Hurricane Nicole. He encouraged the passage of the Parental Rights in Education Act and the Heartbeat Protection Act. In the 2022 gubernatorial election, he won by a large margin, defeating former governor Charlie Crist by 19.4 percentage points. DeSantis later announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for President of the United States in 2023 but withdrew in January 2024 to endorse Trump.
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The bill signing comes five years after gun restrictions
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill into law that would allow Floridians to carry concealed guns without a permit. The bill signing comes five years after former Governor Rick Scott, also a Republican, signed a bill creating gun restrictions after 17 students and faculty members were killed in a mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in 2018.
The new law, known as "Constitutional Carry," will allow anyone who can legally own a gun in Florida to carry one without a permit. It eliminates the requirement for training and background checks for individuals to carry concealed guns in public. This marks a significant shift in Florida's gun laws, as previously, individuals were required to obtain concealed weapons licenses from the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to carry guns.
The bill signing is part of DeSantis' priority to expand gun rights in the state. It has earned him praise from gun rights advocates and supporters, who argue that law-abiding citizens have a fundamental right to carry firearms for self-defense as enshrined in the Constitution. However, opponents criticize the decision as "absurd political pandering" from a state with a history of tragic mass shootings and high rates of gun violence.
The timing of the bill signing is notable, as it comes just a week after a school shooting in Nashville that claimed the lives of six people. This contrast highlights the ongoing debate and divided opinions surrounding gun control legislation in the United States. While some states, like Florida, move towards expanding gun rights, others, like Massachusetts, have recently taken steps to strengthen gun safety laws. For instance, Massachusetts Governor Maura T. Healey signed into law the state's most significant gun safety legislation in a decade, addressing issues such as "ghost guns," 3-D printed guns, and enhancing the "Red Flag Law."
Additionally, states like Colorado have enacted multiple laws to protect their citizens from gun violence. For example, Colorado Democrats have advanced SB25-003, which seeks to enforce the state's high-capacity magazine ban and require permits and firearm safety training for purchasing high-powered firearms. These varying approaches to gun control legislation reflect the complex and multifaceted nature of the issue across the United States.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, on April 3, 2023, Ron DeSantis, the Republican Governor of Florida, signed a bill to allow constitutional carry, or carrying concealed guns without a permit.
Constitutional carry, also known as permitless carry, is legislation that allows people to carry firearms without a government permit.
Supporters of constitutional carry argue that it is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution for self-defence. They also believe that most people will still get a permit to carry concealed weapons in states with reciprocal agreements.
Opponents argue that it is "absurd political pandering" from the Governor of a state that has experienced some of the worst mass shootings in the country's history. They believe that the focus should be on passing laws to prevent gun violence.
