Fairfax, Va. - The National Rifle Association joined House Speaker Paul Renner (R) and representatives from the Florida Sheriffs Association in Tallahassee today to announce the introduction of a constitutional-carry bill in the Florida legislature.
"Half of the country currently recognizes the fundamental right of law-abiding gun owners to carry a firearm for self-defense as enshrined in our Constitution," said Art Thomm, NRA Florida state director. "The NRA is proud to have led this effort across America and looks forward to welcoming Florida into the fold of freedom that constitutional carry provides."
Introduced by state Rep. Chuck Brannan (R) and state Sen. Jay Collins (R), constitutional carry allows anyone who is legally allowed to own a firearm to carry a firearm without first getting a permit or paying a fee to the state. Despite claims from some critics, the bill does not allow felons or anyone else prohibited under state or federal law from possessing a firearm to own or carry one. Additionally, this bill will not affect previously issued permits to carry and allows those who still wish to obtain a permit in order to carry in states recognizing Florida's permits to do so.
Once signed into law, more than half of the nation will recognize this fundamental right.
"Florida has long been at the forefront of supporting their citizens’ right to keep and bear arms," said Thomm. "We thank Gov. DeSantis for his steadfast leadership on this issue, Speaker Renner and the Florida Sheriffs Association for their backing, and the millions of law-abiding Florida gun owners for their continued support."
