Florida lawmakers propose bill to make buying, carrying gun much easier

HIALEAH, Fla. ā€“ Florida state lawmakers are proposing a new bill that would make carrying a gun in the state much easier.

If the bill passes, it would no longer be required to have a permit in order to carry a loaded firearm.

Gun safety advocated are calling the bill reckless.

Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, a Republican, called it, ā€œremoving the permission slip.ā€

ā€œThe permit and all aspects of that permit would go away,ā€ he said.

Practically speaking, that would mean no more required background checks, fingerprinting or any sort of training.

ā€œI donā€™t think the permit in order to conceal carry in this state is onerous to begin with, but at least itā€™s something,ā€ said state Rep. Dan Daley, a Democrat from Coral Springs. ā€œSo every Joe Schmo doesnā€™t carry one on their hip.ā€

Added state Rep Christine Hunschofsky, a Democrat from Parkland, ā€œRemoving training to make you a competent firearm carrier doesnā€™t sound like a great public safety measure to me. This alone is a step in the wrong direction.ā€

Local 10 Newsā€™ Glenna Milberg took the issue to a veteran weapons instructor.

Auggie Mejia likened an untrained gun owner to an unlicensed driver.

ā€œI think everyone should be training in firearms,ā€ he said.

He explained why live firing with an instructor is currently part of required training for a gun permit.

ā€œYou must know, you must understand, safety is critical and understand the components that go with owning a firearm,ā€ he said.

The bill would allow anyone 21 or older to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, except for those already outlawed, like felons for instance.

Instruction would become optional.

ā€œAnybody thatā€™s a gun owner and uses guns knows that safety comes first,ā€ said Renner.

Read the bill by clicking here.


About the Author:

Glenna Milberg joined Local 10 News in September 1999 to report on South Florida's top stories and community issues. She also serves as co-host on Local 10's public affairs broadcast, "This Week in South Florida."