Gov. Ron DeSantis gave “constitutional carry” — allowing people to carry guns without concealed weapons permits — his full endorsement during a news conference on Friday.
The governor was asked about the matter as he wrapped up a news conference in Williston. He was there to announce $22.3 million in state workforce-development and infrastructure grants to local governments.
“I’m pretty confident that I will be able to sign constitutional carry into law,” he said.
“We used to be a leader on Second Amendment. There’s like 25 states that have already done it,” DeSantis continued, referring to constitutional carry.
“And I think if you look now, you have a situation where the official in charge of these permits doesn’t support Second Amendment rights. So, why would you want to subcontract out your constitutional rights to a public official that rejects the very existence of those rights?
“The Legislature will get it done. I can’t tell you if it’s going to be next week, six months, but I can tell you that before I am done as governor, we will have a signature on that bill.”
Licenses suspended
DeSantis referred to Nikki Fried, Florida’s commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, whose department oversees the state’s weapons permitting system — and who that morning announced suspension of licenses for seven people who were involved in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
She suspended licenses for another 28 participants last year.
Fried is seeking the Democratic nomination to run against DeSantis in the fall.
“On Jan. 6, we all watched in shock and horror as treasonous individuals attempted to overturn a legitimate election, storming the U.S. Capitol and attacking the core of our democracy. As law enforcement and our judicial system continue working to bring these insurrectionists to justice, my department’s work also continues to hold those involved accountable by using our lawful authority and carrying out our legal duty to suspend the licenses of anyone charged with disqualifying offenses,” Fried said in a written statement.
She called her action “a testament to our commitment to upholding our duty to suspend licenses of dangerous individuals, protecting our fellow Floridians and the integrity of our licensing program. We will continue to enact further suspensions and revocations of licenses as new charges and sentences are issued as required by law.”
Fried’s office didn’t specify that the suspended licenses were for guns, but noted that she also oversees regulation of the private investigative, private security, and recovery services industries.
“It is the department’s position that providing the specific license types would lead to the disclosure of personally identifying information, which is required to remain confidential,” communications aide Caroline Stonecipher said in an email.
“In regard to the governor’s comments, it’s absolute nonsense. Commissioner Fried filed a lawsuit in support of the Second Amendment literally last week,” Stonecipher added.
Seconed Amendment claims
That suit, filed on April 20 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida, targets the U.S. Department of Justice and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives over policies barring firearms purchases for medical marijuana patients on the ground that they violate the Second Amendment.
State House Democrat Anna Eskamani of Orange County issued this statement via Twitter:
“Many responsible gun owners & law enforcement officers oppose permit-less carry and for good reason; don’t you want someone to at least be trained to carry a firearm? To use it safely?”
In December, the Florida Politics news site posted a video in which DeSantis was asked whether he would sign repeal of the concealed weapons law and replied, “Of course.”
However, Press Secretary Christine Pushaw told the news organization that the governor was making a “general statement” and that he would need to see actual legislation.
Republican state House member Larry Sabatini of Lake County has been introducing repeal legislation for years without much traction. His latest effort, HB 103, died in committee during this year’s regular legislative session. Sabatini is now running for Congress.
Florida in 2005 was the first state to pass a “stand your ground” law, repealing the legal obligation to try to attempt to retreat from a threat before responding with deadly force.
“A person is justified in using or threatening to use deadly force if he or she reasonably believes that using or threatening to use such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony.
“A person who uses or threatens to use deadly force in accordance with this subsection does not have a duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground if the person using or threatening to use the deadly force is not engaged in a criminal activity and is in a place where he or she has a right to be.”
Michael Moline, Florida Phoenix
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Erobot says
Bad guys may be reluctant to use their guns if they think their intended victim is armed.
Bill C says
How do you know who are the good guys and who are the bad guys if everybody has a gun?
Skibum says
Exactly, Bill. I wish more law enforcement would speak up to stop this madness, like I have been doing at every opportunity for a long time now. This shouldn’t be a conservative vs. liberal issue. This nation is going absolutely gun nut bonkers! Throughout my 29-year law enforcement career, I confronted way too many armed individuals in CA and WA states where I worked, and those two states have much stricter gun laws that many states. I cannot comprehend the chaos and elevated danger for LEOs here in the gunshine state if even more untrained people are packing heat. People, please hear this: There is NO WAY for a police officer to be able to tell the good guy from the bad guy when arriving on scene where everyone is armed, and it is so very dangerous for not only the officer(s), but everyone in the vicinity. That is how officer involved shootings happen, and how innocent lives are lost. I just wish calmer heads would prevail, because more guns, and more people carrying guns in today’s society is NOT the answer!!!
Pete says
They tried that here in Flagler County Fla. Many years ago.It did not last long & was canceled. It looked like the Wild Wild West. You go shopping & you see everyone strapping gun on their hip.What does that do to the children?They ask their parents every time they see someone with a gun are they police mommy or daddy.What happens to CWP holders who went through Vigorous backround checks.Sat thru Gun Saftey Classes.Also had to prove on Range your Gun saftey& marksmenship.Also the fee required by the State of Florida.
Jeff Miller says
Excellent point Pete. I’ve canceled carry for over 20yrs, no one needs to open carry.
Tony Mack says
Seriously — DeSantis and the Florida Republicans together with other Republican controlled states are passing legislation regarding abortions, banning books, don’t say gay, voting district changes that will affect minorities, retaliating against the Mouse House and now everybody and their Grannie will be able to carry a weapon openly, without any training whatsoever.
Do you think one enterprising reporter might ask —
1) How many jobs are being created under Republican rule by restricting abortions?
2) How is restricting abortions going to help women’s health issues?
3) How is banning books going to add to the economic wellbeing of the average American in your state?
4) The economy added 431,000 jobs in March, and the figures for January and February were revised upward by 95,000. The U.S has added 1.7 million jobs between January and March, and unemployment is near an all-time low of 3.6%. As employment has risen, employers have had to raise wages to get workers. So, wages are up 5.6% for the year that ended in February.
How many jobs have you help create in the last year?
5) What legislation have you enacted to make healthcare more affordable for your senior citizens, disabled citizens and veterans?
6) Senator Rick Scott has proposed legislation to eliminate Social Security and Medicare. Do you support those moves and how will that imposition affect seniors in your state?
7) The State of Maine has no restrictive voter ID laws, same day voter registration, no excuse absentee mail in voting, mail-in voting, early voting and 24/7 drop boxes — and virtually no voter fraud. What are they doing wrong?
8) How many people will be employed by enacting “Open Carry” laws?
Well, those are just a few of the things an enterprising investigative reporter might ask DeSantis and other Republican governors and legislators.
But then — we all know that won’t happen so it’s up to the voters to ask every time they opportunity presents itself. and Write letters to the Editor to get those answers as well.
wow says
Well said.
Mark says
All good points that Democrats have to start asking loudly of their opponents in the up coming elections, just not the media only. If there’s debates all good questions for a moderator to ask too. When I write to my representatives all I get is a phony generic reply that has only a hint of what I was calling them out for. Our Representative Waltz has never replied or sent out an e-mail newsletter that I signed up for. Pretty sure any correspondence to his office is deleted without him ever knowing what his constituents think. Even funnier (or sad) is no reply but they’ll send you mail for donations to them to be re-elected.
Sherry says
Excellent Posting Tony Mack! Thanks so much for lending your voice to sanity!
Mark says
Poser and Company looking for a few more cheap votes.
The dude says
Pushing all the right buttons to make the conneds happy in the pants.
HARRY says
I THINK ITS A BAD IDEA , PEOPLE IN FLORIDA LIKE DRINKING , AND HAVE ROAD RAGE , TWO THING THATS NOT GOOD , ITS WILL GET LIKE THE WILD WEST , SOMEONE GETS MAD AND SHOOT SOMEONE AND WALK AWAY , THE POLICE WIL NEVER FIND ANYBODY , THE PROBLEM IN THIS COUNTRY IS NOT THE GUN BUT THE LACK OF GUN LAWS THAT STATES GIVE CRIMINALS EASY TIME WHEN THEY GET CAUGHT CARRY A GUN OR USING IT, WE HAVE A GREAT GUN BILL FOR YEARS , BUT STATES NEVER USE IT , ITS CALL THE BRADY BILL . THE GOVERNOR NEED TO FIX MORE STUFF FOR FLORIDA RESIDENTS, LIKE HOME INSURANCE COMPANYS RIPPING OFF FLORIDA OWNERS TELL THEM TO CHANGE THERE ROOF EVERY 15 YEARS , HE NEEDS TO PUT SIGNS ON HIGHWAYS TELL DRIVERS IF THEY GET CAUGHT DRIVE 15 MILES OVER SPEED ON HIGHWAYS YOU WILL GET ARRESTED RECKLESS DRIVING ,AND NO BUTS ABOUT IT AND NOT GIVE A SPEEDING TICKET AND LET THEM GO HOME , THIS WAY CAR INSURANCE WILL GO DOWN , HOW ABOUT PUT A LAW THAT PARENTS CAN’T HAVE KIDS SITTING AT A BAR STOOL WITH THEM , I HAVE SEEN THIS , LETS SEE IF HE FIX THIS STUFF FIRST ,
wow says
The daily killings in Orlando aren’t enough? This governor is a lunatic. Books are scary, guns are good. Terminating a pregnancy is bad, massacring school children is okay. His Florida is a nightmare scenario of Big Brother and Trump-inspired lawless belligerence.
No Political Affiliation says
In a state where a massive number of illiterate people think Trump is still president, suddenly they can all now have guns without proper training? That sounds…..safe….Let me know when the guns start keeping us safe from all the guns.
Steve says
DUHSantis the Florida Culture War loser gonna be sent home . Vote Accordingly
A.j says
If the Dems use this the right way, they might prevent a Repub. bloodshed. O k. Dems the Repubs. are giving you ammunition, please use it properly. You might be happily surprised in Nov. learn to use what the opponent give you. Dems you have all kinds of ammunition, pleaseopen your mouth and use the ammunition properly.
Laurel says
I was born, many, many moons ago, in Florida, and was raised and continued to live in this state. DeSantis, is by far, the most embarrassing, shameless fool, to run this state, I’ve seen yet in all my lifetime.
“Let us resolve to be masters, not the victims, of our history, controlling our own destiny without giving way to blind suspicions and emotions.” John F. Kennedy
“We have nothing to fear but fear itself’.” Franklin D. Roosevelt
“We must teach our children to resolve their conflicts with words, not weapons.” William J. Clinton
“Show me someone without an ego, and I’ll show you a loser.” Donald J. Trump
“I think, for me, anybody who is a terrorist should not have access to firearms.”
Now, show me who you’d rather respect as a President of the United States.
Laurel says
“I think, for me, anybody who is a terrorist should not have access to firearms.” Ron DeSantis
Donald J Trump says
Will certainly make it easier to permanently remove politicians from office without wasting ones time going to the polls because the polls have been so restricted and gerrymanded. I will not campaign in Florida if this becomes law. I don’t want my Communist Escort to become a widow.
Geezer says
You don’t look “cool” walking into a public place with your Glock strapped to your hip for everyone to see. Despite having the right to carry, guns make most people uncomfortable, and it’s just plain dumb to advertise that you’re packing heat.
You (Floridians) can have guns in the home and the land it sits on, and your vehicles without a permit.
You can open-carry when mowing your lawn! But because you tell the world that you’re a “gun enthusiast” you
run the risk of having your home or car broken into.
Guns have their place, ( I collect guns) but they are most certainly a liability to people with tempers.
Just ask Paul Miller, he shot his neighbor in the back over his barking dogs…
The FL concealed permit system is pretty promiscuous as it is.
I hear that DeSantis wants to name the proposed legislation the “George Zimmerman Law.”