Florida Governor Ron DeSantis delivered on another one of his promises by signing a new bill into law that allows citizens to carry a concealed firearm without having to first obtain a permit from the government, a major win for the Second Amendment that shifts the balance on a national level as the Sunshine State joins 25 others where constitutional carry is already on the books.
On Monday, the popular Republican leader signed the bill which was approved 27 to 13 by the State Senate last week, sending it to the governor’s desk where he put the final touches on the legislation which was fiercely opposed by Democrats and anti-gun activists who screamed bloody murder but were powerless to stop it with the far-left political party having been completely neutered by Florida voters.
On Monday, DeSantis signed HB 543 into law in a low-key ceremony that comes a week after a mentally disturbed woman who identified as transgender slaughtered six people including three young children at a Nashville Christian elementary school. The new law will go into effect on July 1st.
“Constitutional Carry is in the books,” Governor DeSantis said.
“The NRA applauds Florida for becoming the 26th state to adopt the vital Constitutional Carry legislation. This NRA-spearheaded initiative empowers Floridians to exercise their Second Amendment rights without undue bureaucratic barriers, affirming the fundamental right to self-defense,” NRA-ILA Interim Executive Director Randy Kozuch said in a statement to Fox News Digital, praising the new law.
“We thank Gov. DeSantis for his support of self-defense and Second Amendment laws and for prioritizing the safety and security of Florida residents. This historic moment is a testament to the dedication of the NRA, our members, gun owners, and Second Amendment supporters working together in the state. Today’s NRA victory inspires us to continue advocating for Constitutional Carry laws across the nation, ensuring the protection of Second Amendment rights for all Americans,” Kozuch added. “We extend our gratitude to the Florida legislature and all those who have worked tirelessly to make this a reality in the Sunshine State.”
Constitutional law expert Jonathan Turley underscored the significance of the law in national terms.
“An important milestone occurred today when Gov. DeSantis signed the constitutional carry law. With that signature, 26 states now allow permitless carry for gun owners. The Court often looks to how rights or practices are embedded into society in constitutional reviews,” the Fox News legal analyst tweeted.
An important milestone occurred today when Gov. DeSantis signed the constitutional carry law. With that signature, 26 states now allow permitless carry for gun owners. The Court often looks to how rights or practices are embedded into society in constitutional reviews.
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) April 3, 2023
The Biden regime and its anti-Second Amendment allies struck a much more sour note.
NEW: White House press sec. Jean-Pierre says it’s “shameful” that Florida Gov. DeSantis signed permitless concealed carry bill “so soon after another tragic school shooting.”
“This is the opposite of commonsense gun safety.” https://t.co/FC9ENZK3f3 pic.twitter.com/SF1wsngAn1
— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) April 3, 2023
“It is shameful that so soon after another tragic school shooting, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a permitless concealed carry bill behind closed doors,” said Biden’s spox Karine Jean-Pierre who has blamed Republicans for the Nashville school shooting. “This is the opposite of common-sense gun safety.”
“I am pissed,” said anti-gun activist Fred Guttenberg, whose daughter was among those murdered in the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
“I will chase him down across the state as well as possibly across the country … because Ron DeSantis today put his signature to a bill that guarantees there will be more Jaimes,” Guttenberg vowed to reporters during an online news conference, also taking to Twitter to pre-blame the governor for the state’s next mass shooting.
I have said often @GovRonDeSantis is a fraud & weak. This morning without announcement, he signed permitless carry. He was afraid for Floridians to watch. Ron, your weakness won't make you less responsible. The inevitable next shooting because of this will be because of you.
— Fred Guttenberg (@fred_guttenberg) April 3, 2023
Under the new law, eligible citizens 21 years old and up will now be able to carry a concealed firearm without having to obtain a permit from the government and without being charged a fee, those who still desire to have a permit are able to do so.
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