Jonah Patel
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that allows Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit. The bill, known as Constitutional Carry, removes the requirement for training and background checks for those carrying concealed weapons in public. DeSantis signed the bill into law during a private ceremony, stating, Constitutional Carry is in the books. The law goes into effect on July 1, 2023, making Florida the 26th state to enact such legislation. The signing of the bill has sparked controversy, with critics arguing that it will make Floridians less safe and accusing DeSantis of prioritizing his political ambitions over public safety.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the bill | Constitutional Carry |
| Bill signed by | Governor Ron DeSantis |
| State | Florida |
| Date | 3rd April 2023 |
| Bill number | HB 543 |
| Effective date | 1st July 2023 |
| Effect | Allows Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit |
| Supporters' argument | Law-abiding citizens have a right to carry guns and protect themselves |
| Opposition | The bill would make it easier for criminals to carry guns |
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What You'll Learn
Florida's 'constitutional carry' gun bill
Supporters of the bill argue that it restores the Second Amendment and an individual's constitutional right to keep and bear arms. They believe that requiring permits to carry firearms amounts to asking for a "government permission slip" to exercise a constitutional right. Additionally, the bill provides $60 million for school security improvements and other safety programs.
Opponents of the bill, including Democrats and gun control advocates, argue that it will make Floridians less safe. They contend that permitless carry increases the risk of both intentional violence and unintentional shootings, leading to an increase in fatalities and gun crimes. Some critics, such as Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, have called the bill "absurd political pandering" in a state with a history of mass shootings and high rates of gun violence.
The bill has also faced criticism from some gun-rights advocates who argue that it should have included open carry provisions, allowing individuals to carry firearms in plain sight. However, the bill's supporters counter that "shall not be infringed" will now hold more meaning in the state. Despite the criticism, Governor DeSantis and his supporters maintain that the bill upholds the Second Amendment and an individual's right to self-defense.
It is important to note that the bill does not change the existing restrictions on certain types of weapons, such as machine guns, fully automatic weapons, short-barreled rifles, and destructive devices. Additionally, individuals carrying firearms are still required to have valid identification on them at all times, and violations of this requirement can result in a fine.
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Second Amendment rights
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a "constitutional carry" gun bill into law in 2023, which came into effect on July 1, 2023. The bill eliminates the requirement for a license to carry a concealed firearm, including background checks and training. Proponents of the bill, including the National Rifle Association (NRA), argue that it protects Second Amendment rights and removes the need for a "government permission slip" to exercise a constitutional right.
The Second Amendment of the United States Constitution states: "A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed." This amendment has been interpreted as safeguarding the right of Americans to protect themselves, their families, and their freedoms. The Second Amendment is considered foundational to maintaining all other rights held by Americans, and any infringement on this right is seen as a threat to liberty and security.
Supporters of the "constitutional carry" bill in Florida argue that it aligns with the Second Amendment and promotes self-defense. They believe that the right to carry a firearm for self-defense is a fundamental right enshrined in the Constitution, rather than a government-granted privilege. However, opponents, including Democratic politicians and gun control advocates, criticize the bill as a threat to public safety. They argue that removing permit requirements will lead to an increase in gun violence and unintentional shootings, pointing to similar laws in other states that have resulted in higher rates of gun-related crimes and fatalities.
While the "constitutional carry" bill in Florida has sparked debates about Second Amendment rights and public safety, it is important to note that the bill does not include open carry provisions. Gun-rights advocates have expressed disappointment over this exclusion, as it still requires weapons to be concealed. Despite this, Governor DeSantis and his supporters maintain that the bill restores Second Amendment rights in Florida, ensuring that law-abiding citizens can exercise their constitutional right to bear arms without government interference.
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Concealed weapons without a permit
On April 3, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis quietly signed a bill into law that allows Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit. The bill, known as the "constitutional carry" or "permitless carry" bill, removes the requirement for training and background checks for individuals to carry concealed guns in public.
The signing of the bill was met with mixed reactions. Supporters of the bill, including the National Rifle Association (NRA), argued that it restores the Second Amendment rights of Floridians to keep and bear arms without government interference. They believe that law-abiding citizens have a right to carry guns for self-defense and that requiring a permit amounts to asking for "government permission."
However, the bill also faced strong opposition, particularly from Democrats and gun control advocates. They argued that the bill would make Floridians less safe by increasing the risk of both intentional violence and unintentional shootings. They also criticized DeSantis for signing the bill behind closed doors, calling it a "cowardly" and "pathetic" move.
The "constitutional carry" bill went into effect on July 1, 2023, making Florida the 26th state to enact such legislation. It is important to note that while the bill removes the requirement for a permit specifically for carrying a concealed weapon, individuals still need to adhere to other gun-related laws and regulations, such as background checks and waiting periods for purchasing firearms from licensed dealers.
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No training or background checks
On April 3, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a permitless carry bill into law. The bill, which went into effect on July 1, 2023, eliminates the requirement for a license to carry a concealed firearm in the state of Florida. This means that individuals in Florida are no longer required to undergo background checks or complete training in order to carry a concealed weapon.
The bill's supporters, who refer to it as a "constitutional carry" measure, argue that it restores the Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. They contend that the previous requirement for a permit amounted to asking for "government permission" to exercise a constitutional right. However, opponents of the bill, including Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison, argue that it will make it easier for criminals to obtain guns and increase the risk of gun violence.
The National Rifle Association (NRA), a prominent gun rights advocacy group, has supported the push for permitless carry laws across the United States. They argue that the Second Amendment guarantees the right to carry a firearm for self-defense and that requiring a permit or background check infringes on this right. However, gun control advocates and law enforcement officials have expressed concerns that removing these safeguards will allow irresponsible and dangerous individuals to obtain firearms.
In Ohio, a similar debate is taking place. The Ohio Senate recently passed legislation to allow anyone 21 and older to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, background check, or training. This legislation, known as Senate Bill 215, has been supported by Republicans and gun rights advocates who argue that it aligns with the state and federal constitutional right to bear arms. However, Democrats and anti-gun violence advocates have opposed the bill, citing concerns about public safety and an increase in gun violence.
The push for permitless carry laws, also known as constitutional carry laws, has been a priority for the gun lobby in recent years. Since 2015, 25 states have completely eliminated their concealed carry permit requirements, allowing individuals to carry hidden handguns in public places without undergoing background checks or safety training. Proponents of these laws argue for the simplification of gun ownership and carrying, while critics argue that the removal of these safeguards puts the public at risk and contributes to an increase in gun violence.
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Democrats' criticism of the bill
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis quietly signed a permitless carry bill into law within hours of it landing on his desk. The bill, which does away with a decades-old licensing process, including background checks and training, has been criticized by Democrats who argue that it will make Floridians less safe.
Sen. Shevrin Jones, D-Miami Gardens, said:
> "Permitless carry increases the risk of both intentional violence and unintentional shootings, with the facts clearly showing an increase of fatalities and gun crimes in the dozens of states that have passed similar laws."
In addition, some gun-rights advocates have criticized the bill for not including open carry, which would not require weapons to be concealed. Matt Collins, a former firearms lobbyist from Central Florida, called the bill's lack of open carry provisions "embarrassing" for DeSantis.
The bill has also been criticized for being snuck through quietly, with Fox News reporting on the signing before DeSantis' press office had informed reporters. Democratic National Committee Chair Jaime Harrison released a statement saying:
> "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. Make no mistake: DeSantis’s unabashed chase for the 2024 MAGA base has proven how extreme he is willing to go to boost his national ambitions."
In committee, Sen. Lori Berman, D-Palm Beach, asked the bill’s sponsor:
> "Since guns are the leading killer of children, would [you] agree it would make more sense to restrict access to guns?"
Similar criticism has been leveled at other bills, such as the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act introduced by Republicans in the U.S. Senate and House, which would allow gun owners with concealed carry privileges in their home states to exercise those rights in other states that allow concealed carry while abiding by those states' laws. This bill has also been opposed by Democratic attorneys general from 17 states, who argue that it would "lead to the death of police officers and civilians, the proliferation of gun traffickers, and acts of terrorism and other mass violence."
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the constitutional carry bill into law on April 3, 2023.
The bill, also known as House Bill (HB) 543, allows Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit. This means that training and background checks will not be required to carry concealed guns in public.
The bill signing has been met with mixed reactions. Supporters of the bill, including the National Rifle Association (NRA), have applauded the move as a restoration of Second Amendment rights. On the other hand, critics, including Democrats and gun control advocates, argue that the bill could make Floridians less safe and increase the risk of gun violence.
