Simone Lawson
The Florida Senate voted 27-13 to pass House Bill 543, the constitutional carry bill, on March 30, 2023. The bill, which allows law-abiding citizens to carry firearms without a permit, was then sent to Governor Ron DeSantis for approval. The bill had previously passed in the House on March 27, 2023, and was sponsored by Representative Chuck Brannan and Senator Jay Collins. While the bill has received support from some senators, others have expressed concern that it would make Florida a more dangerous place and negatively impact the state's tourism economy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Vote | 27 March 2023 |
| Bill Number | House Bill 543 |
| Bill Sponsor | Representative Chuck Brannan |
| Senate Sponsor | Senator Jay Collins |
| Senate Vote | 27-13 |
| Next Step | Governor Ron DeSantis to sign the bill into law |
| Previous Vote | 11-6 in the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee |
| Previous Bill Number | Senate Bill 150 |
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What You'll Learn
The Florida Senate passes Constitutional Carry
On March 30, 2023, the Florida Senate voted 27-13 to pass House Bill 543, the constitutional carry bill. The bill was received from the House the previous week. With this development, Florida moved a step closer to becoming the 26th constitutional carry state.
The bill will now go to Governor Ron DeSantis, who has repeatedly and publicly stated that he will sign a constitutional carry bill into law. The National Rifle Association (NRA) thanked the bill's lead sponsor, Representative Chuck Brannan, and Senate sponsor, Senator Jay Collins, for bringing this important legislation forward.
The constitutional carry bill, also known as Senate Bill 150, seeks to strengthen the right to self-defense in Florida. It recognizes the right of any law-abiding adult, aged 21 or older, who is legally eligible to obtain a carry permit, to carry a handgun without first obtaining government permission. This ensures that citizens can exercise their right to self-defense without bureaucratic delays or fees. Importantly, the bill does not change the eligibility criteria for obtaining a carry permit, and previously issued permits remain valid. It simply provides an option for those who wish to carry a firearm without a permit, while still allowing for the acquisition of permits for carrying in other states that recognize Florida's permits.
The passage of this bill by the Florida Senate is a significant development in the ongoing debate around gun rights and public safety in the state. While supporters argue that it upholds the Second Amendment and promotes responsible gun ownership, opponents, including Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani, have expressed concerns that it could make Florida a more dangerous place to live by eliminating the requirement for safety courses before carrying a firearm in public.
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The bill will go to Governor Ron DeSantis to be signed into law
The Florida Senate has passed House Bill 543, the constitutional carry bill. The bill, which was passed by a vote of 27-13, will now go to Governor Ron DeSantis to be signed into law.
The bill, which was sponsored by Representative Chuck Brannan and Senator Jay Collins, removes the requirement for law-abiding citizens to obtain a permit to carry a firearm. Instead, it allows any adult who is at least 21 years old and legally eligible to obtain a carry permit to carry a handgun without first having to obtain government permission. This ensures that citizens have the right to self-defence without red tape, delays, or fees.
The bill has been supported by the National Rifle Association (NRA), which argues that it is a critical step towards upholding the Second Amendment and ensuring the safety of citizens. The NRA also filed an amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear a challenge to New York's "Concealed Carry Improvement Act."
Governor Ron DeSantis has publicly stated that he will sign the bill into law. If he does so, Florida will become the 26th state to enact a constitutional carry law. The bill is expected to go into effect on July 1, 2023.
While the bill has been supported by some as a way to uphold the Second Amendment and promote responsible gun ownership, it has also faced opposition. Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani argued that constitutional carry would make Florida a more dangerous place to live because citizens would no longer be required to take safety courses before carrying a firearm in public.
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The bill will allow non-Florida residents to carry a concealed weapon
The Florida Senate has been considering a 'constitutional carry' bill, also known as a 'permitless carry' bill. The bill, which has already passed the House, would allow any law-abiding adult over the age of 21 who is legally eligible to obtain a carry permit to carry a handgun without first having to obtain government permission. This includes non-Florida residents, who would be able to carry a concealed weapon while in the state if they meet the same requirements as residents.
The bill, known as Senate Bill 150 or House Bill 543, has faced opposition from some, who argue that it would make Florida a more dangerous place to live as people would no longer have to take safety courses to carry a firearm in public. However, supporters of the bill argue that it is a critical step towards upholding the Second Amendment and ensuring the safety of citizens. They claim that it removes unnecessary bureaucratic hurdles and empowers law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families.
On March 10, 2023, the Public Safety Bill passed the Senate Committee on Fiscal Policy and moved on to the full Senate for further consideration. On March 27, 2023, the bill was passed by the Senate with a vote of 27-13. It will now go to Governor Ron DeSantis, who has stated that he will sign it into law.
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The bill was opposed by State Senators Geraldine Thompson and Linda Stewart
The Florida Senate's Constitutional Carry Bill has faced opposition from State Senators Geraldine Thompson and Linda Stewart. The bill, which would allow law-abiding citizens to carry firearms without a permit, was passed by the Senate Fiscal Policy Committee on March 9, 2023, with a vote of 11-6. It then proceeded to the full Senate for further deliberation. Senators Thompson and Stewart remained opposed to the bill, even as it gained momentum in the legislative process.
State Senator Geraldine Thompson, representing Orange County, and State Senator Linda Stewart, who participated in the committee debate, emerged as vocal critics of the bill. Their opposition was rooted in concerns about public safety and the potential implications for Florida's tourism economy. The bill aimed to remove the requirement for law-abiding citizens to obtain a permit before carrying a firearm, which critics argued would make Florida a more dangerous place to live.
Senators Thompson and Stewart were not alone in their opposition. Democratic Rep. Anna Eskamani, for instance, shared similar concerns, highlighting that constitutional carry could lead to an increase in gun violence and endanger the public. She also questioned the timing of the bill, suggesting that Republicans might be reluctant to pursue such a controversial policy during an election year.
Despite the opposition, the bill continued to advance. On March 27, 2023, the House passed the Constitutional Carry Bill, setting the stage for it to be reviewed and voted on by the state Senate. If approved by the Senate, it would then require the governor's signature to become law.
The bill's progression in the legislative process sparked concern among gun control advocates and heightened the urgency for opponents like Senators Thompson and Stewart to voice their dissent. They, along with other critics, emphasized the potential risks associated with easing restrictions on firearm possession. However, supporters of the bill, including the National Rifle Association (NRA), framed it as a critical step toward upholding the Second Amendment and empowering law-abiding citizens to protect themselves and their families.
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The bill was defended by Senator Jay Collins
The bill, known as Senate Bill 150, aimed to strengthen the right to self-defense in Florida by recognizing the right of any law-abiding adult, 21 years or older, to carry a handgun without first obtaining government permission. This would be done by removing bureaucratic hurdles and allowing citizens to protect themselves and their families without unnecessary red tape, delays, or fees. It is important to note that the bill did not change the eligibility requirements for obtaining a carry permit and did not affect previously issued permits.
The bill faced opposition from State Senators Geraldine Thompson and Linda Stewart, who argued that it would make Florida a more dangerous place to live. However, supporters of the bill, including Senator Collins, believed that it was crucial for upholding the Second Amendment and ensuring citizens' safety. They argued that requiring law-abiding citizens to obtain a permit to carry a firearm infringed upon their right to keep and bear arms. Additionally, studies have shown that states with constitutional carry laws have lower violent crime rates than those with restrictive gun laws.
The bill ultimately passed in the Senate with a vote of 27-13, and was then sent to Governor Ron DeSantis, who signed it into law. With this, Florida became the 26th state to pass a constitutional carry bill, joining a growing number of states that allow law-abiding citizens to carry firearms without a permit.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, on March 27, 2023, the Florida Senate voted 27-13 to pass House Bill 543, the constitutional carry bill.
The constitutional carry bill, also known as Senate Bill 150, removes the requirement for law-abiding citizens to obtain a permit to carry a firearm. It also allows non-Florida residents to carry a concealed weapon while in the state if they meet the requirements, including having a valid license to carry a firearm in their home state.
The constitutional carry bill has been passed by the Florida Senate and was sent to Governor Ron DeSantis for his signature. Governor DeSantis has indicated that he will sign the bill into law.
