Florida House Democrats today filed a series of amendments in an effort to make HB 543: Permitless Carry less dangerous for millions of Floridians and visitors.
The amendment, by Representative Christine Hunschofsky (D- Parkland), would have denied those convicted of certain violent misdemeanors from being able to permitless carry. This would mirror laws covering current concealed carry permitting in effect now. Effectively, this weakens our laws about violent criminals carrying guns and is the very definition of ‘soft on crime.’ Unfortunately, this common-sense correction was rejected by the Republican majority.
Representative Hunschofsky said, “One of my top priorities is to work to make our communities safer. Preventing people convicted of violent misdemeanor crimes, such as assault and battery, from carrying concealed weapons is actually the current law, and keeping it for permitless carry is simply common-sense. I don’t understand why this simple public safety amendment was not supported by the Republicans in the House.
If we’re going to call it a public safety bill then why remove safety protections? This takes us backwards, removing a protection that has been the law for years. Unfortunately, Christmas has come early for violent criminals in Florida.”
Leader Fentrice Driskell (D- Tampa) added, “By not taking this common-sense amendment, Florida Republicans have created a loophole around a long-standing law meant to keep us safe. To put it bluntly, this is the biggest ‘soft on crime’ bill I’ve ever seen in Tallahassee.
People who were previously restricted by law will now be allowed to carry a hidden deadly weapon with no oversight, training, or scrutiny. More guns are not the answer to our gun crisis. Sadly, Florida Republicans are willing to trade our safety for an A+ rating from the NRA.”
