Governor DeSantis signs unauthorized carry bill

Florida on Monday gave an edge to states with more permissive gun laws. I signed silently.

of The Florida Senate voted 27-13 last week upon HB543 DeSantis signed just as quickly as he got it at a closed-door rally with his supporters, making Florida the 26th state to not require a secret weapons license.

Agreeing to efforts to hone DeSantis’ conservative credentials before likely running for the White House, FOX News published a story about the signing online at 10:20 a.m. — Florida reporters for president It was 28 minutes before receiving notice from DeSantis’ press office, which said he had even received a bill from Congress.

“Constitutional Carry is in the book,” DeSantis said in a press release on Monday.

The new law has angered both sides of the gun control debate. Critics say it will cause more bloodshed and deaths in a country already plagued by mass shootings. and advocates calling for the abolishment of training courses say the bill falls short of true “open carry,” allowing citizens to carry guns without concealing them.

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And a poll by the University of North Florida’s Poll Research Institute found 77% of Floridians, including 62% of Republicans. Do not support allowing people to carry weapons without a license.

However, the National Rifle Association’s Institute for Legislative Action praised the new law in a prepared statement to Fox.

“This NRA-led initiative will enable Floridians to exercise their Second Amendment rights without undue bureaucratic barriers and affirm their fundamental right to self-defense,” said the NRA-ILA provisional Executive Director Randy Kozuch told Fox News Digital exclusively in a statement.

The HB 543 allows those eligible for a license to carry a gun without going through the license requirements and paying the $97 fee. Proponents argued that these requirements would require a “government permit” to exercise constitutional rights.

Licenses are available even if you travel to one of the 24 states that require a license for your mobile and have a reciprocal agreement with Florida.

Democratic National Committee Chairman Jaime Harrison accused DeSantis in a statement prepared after the signing: “Hiding behind closed doors and standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the NRA, Ron DeSantis makes it easier for criminals to carry guns.” “No doubt, DeSantis’ blatant pursuit of MAGA bases in 2024 proves just how extreme he is willing to go to boost his nation’s ambitions.”

At the commission, D-Palm Beach Senator Lori Berman asked the bill’s sponsors because guns are a leading killer of children.

“No, I don’t. We have a constitutional right to keep and bear arms. And that’s what we’re fighting for right now,” said Tampa Sen. Jay Collins.

Senator Jason Pizzo (D-Miami) called his opposition hypocritical when Collins opposed an amendment that would allow law-abiding citizens to carry guns into the Legislative Assembly .

“You know what that means. “We don’t allow it in the room where we’re sitting,” he said.

Collins explained that the amendment is off topic because the bill does not address gun-free zones.

This measure will take effect on July 1st. He will also be offered $60 million to improve school security and other safety programs.

James Call is a member of the USA TODAY NETWORK Florida Capital Authority. He can be reached at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow him on Twitter: @CallTallahasse