With supporters pointing to attacks on churches and synagogues, a House panel Tuesday approved a measure that would allow people to carry concealed weapons at religious institutions that share properties with schools.
The House Criminal Justice Subcommittee also approved a separate bill that would allow county commissioners, school board members and elected city officials to be armed at their public meetings.
State law generally allows people to carry concealed weapons at religious institutions, but it bars being armed on school properties. That has effectively meant that people cannot carry guns to churches or synagogues that meet at places with schools.
The measure (HB 1437) approved Tuesday would allow religious institutions to authorize people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns at such locations.
“Right now, if a church was located on the same property as, say, a preschool, and that preschool met from Monday through Friday, people at that church would not be allowed to carry concealed on Sunday and Wednesday night during those services, and this bill would change that,” bill sponsor Jayer Williamson, R-Pace, said.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey supported the proposal, saying he considers it a “property rights bill” instead of a gun bill.
“Right now, we see religious institutions across the country being attacked by those with evil in their heart,” Ivey said. “And what we know with absolute certainty is that our citizens have to have the right to be the first line of defense in protecting them, their families and those around them in those places of worship.”
But Rep. Jennifer Webb, D-Gulfport, said she has talked with churches and synagogues in her Pinellas County district and they did not see a need for people to carry concealed firearms in their facilities.
Lawmakers have considered similar proposals in the past, but the measures have not been approved. Also, a Senate version of Williamson’s bill has not been filed for this year’s legislative session.
The issue of safety at religious institutions, however, has drawn heavy attention in recent years after mass shootings at churches and synagogues in places such as Texas and Pennsylvania.
The other gun-related bill (HB 183) approved Tuesday by the House panel would allow local elected officials to bring weapons to their public meetings if they have concealed weapons licenses. Under current law, people — including elected officials — are not allowed to bring guns to such meetings.
“Every day, we get threats. We have people stalking our staffs and our commissioners,” Okaloosa County Commissioner Graham Fountain said in supporting the bill, proposed by Rep. Mel Ponder, a Destin Republican who is running for the Okaloosa County Commission this year.
It remains unclear whether always-controversial gun legislation will pass during this year’s session.
The Senate has started moving forward with a gun-control bill (SB 7028) that includes proposals such as eliminating the gun-show “loophole” on background checks and creating a record-keeping system for private gun sales. House Speaker Jose Oliva, R-Miami Lakes, said last week the Senate measure “probably will not move very far here in the House, if at all.”
–News Service of Florida
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Jane Gentile-Youd says
To all my registered Democrat friends: First thought to cross my mind:
OMG You guys might want to consider switching parties if Mullins is allowed to carry a gun into the county commission chambers…….( Of course I am saying this in jest and not based on anything other than my brain waves)
duncan says
Great! Just what we need; more gun toting. Welcome to Florida, that state that wants to replace Disney World with the wild wild west!
Billy says
How precious,
Elected leaders are so impressive that they can and need to carry! But the same people are working hard to pass laws to take your rights away to protect yourself and family! Open your eyes people!
Rick G says
Notwithstanding the irony of having to arm oneself in a house of worship, it appears that we are going back to those days of yesteryear of the wild west. Hopefully some TV mogul will pick up on this and give us some of those old westerns again.
Jim O says
“But Rep. Jennifer Webb, D-Gulfport, said she has talked with churches and synagogues in her Pinellas County district and they did not see a need for people to carry concealed firearms in their facilities.”
This makes no sense to me. NOT RELEVANT at all.
Andy says
More guns is always the best option. Always add guns to everything. That’s exactly how the founding fathers intended the thing to work. Guns solve everything.
Outsider says
Duncan, you are free to choose any state to live in where you feel safe. That being said, I used to live outside of NYC, and the nightly news frequently reported muggings, stabbings, and armed robberies on random people. How often do you hear of these kinds of events happening, at random, here in Florida, and Palm Coast in particular? It doesn’t happen very often because every would-be mugger knows any potential victim could be armed. Everyone benefits, in that respect, from the concealed carry laws in Florid.
101 says
OMG they are going to allow Mullins with his bully behavior carry a weapon, another Bull in a China Closet, Flagler County is now in deep trouble. He cannot control his temper and this was a very bad move. Citizens Beware.
The County Officials needs to be removing him from office, how about voting for that now. After reading all the post about him calling Flagler County Trump Country that should be enough grounds.
Dave says
Why would a God fearing person need a gun ever? Let alone inside of his holy house? If you are a true believer and a person of faith, your WOULD NEVER bring a gun in a church. You would trust in Gods love and power to protect you. You would trust in his plan no matter what. Anyone wanting to carry a gun in a church has no faith in the plan the lord has for you.
We need to remove all concealed carry in the state period, no one should be walking around with a concealed weapon period.
Spunkylas says
I feel this unnecessary to have mullunins to carry and conceal in public meetings as there has never been a need for such circumstances.
Recall Joe Mullins says
Well played using that photo of Moe Jullins as the article header!
Pogo says
@Once upon a time in Palm Coastduh
https://youtu.be/RAwu30MWHH8
jack howell says
Sorry to hear this. While I have a concealed weapons permit and I am an elected official; I don’t see the need to carry a weapon during the city council meetings. As a matter of fact, I rarely carry a weapon. This is just a very bad policy and I would hope that the Governor vetos this bill before it becomes law.
Law Abiding Citizen says
this is a right step. allow anyone with a CCL to carry anywhere they please.
Trailer Bob says
So you feel fine with removing a citizens rights so that only criminals and insane people can carry? What world do you live in? You do understand that most murders with guns are done by people who do not have a legal permit to carry, nor could they qualify for one. I carry everyday, everywhere, so I can protect my precious life ant those of others around me. Connecticut has some nice homes for sale if that is your mentality.
Mae West says
Is that a pistol in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?
Bob says
Joe Mullins with a gun…..oh dear!
Dave says
Nobody asked nor do they want YOU to protect them. That’s what police are for and also you are very mistaken, the fact that most victims of gun violence come from a legally purchased fire arm is reality. NO ONE SHOULD EVER CARRY A GUN IN PUBLIC.