It’s a refrain heard again and again after tragedies occurring in gun-free zones: “If only I had had my gun …”
Now one Florida lawmaker has introduced legislation to help ensure no one else is victimized because they heeded a business’s “No Firearms Allowed” sign. SB 610, authored by Sen. Greg Steube and backed by the NRA, would allow concealed-carry permit holders the ability to sue private businesses if someone should commit “any unlawful or reckless act” or should a “vicious or wild animal” attack. If it could be proven that a ban on carry hindered the permit holder’s ability to defend themselves, the business could be liable for damages, attorney’s fees and court costs.
“It’s the premise in Florida that if a private business wants to prohibit guns in their location … that’s fine, they can do that,” Steube said. “But if you’re going to do that, in my opinion, I should have some assumption that I’m going to be protected as a conceal-carry permit holder because you’re taking away my ability to defend myself.”
We will keep you up to date as this legislation progresses.
