Tag: HB-543

Florida Sportsmen Denied 2nd Amendment Right

The 2nd Amendment protects one’s right to feed one’s family the same as it does to defend one’s family. No licensing or fee should be required.

If the 2nd Amendment protects our Constitutional right to keep and bear arms and carrying a firearm in public, without asking the State for permission through applying for a State issued license, it should not be necessary for sportsmen to request permission from the State to harvest game to feed their families.

If under the proposed bill (HB-543) no training, license or fee paid to the State will be required to carry a firearm in public for self-defense, why should it be necessary to receiving training, pay a fee and request permission from the State to carry a firearm in the field or the woods to harvest game to feed one’s family?

If our 2nd Amendment applies to carrying a firearm in public, for defensive purposes, without asking permission from the State through a license, our 2nd Amendment should also apply to harvesting game to feed one’s family, without asking the State for permission through a hunting license.

It should be understood that to obtain a hunting license in Florida, anyone born after June 1, 1975 must successful complete an approved hunter safety education course.

In other words, a person must attend and successfully complete a training course to be eligible to apply for permission and pay a fee to be able to exercise one’s Constitutional right to use one’s gun or other weapon to feed one’s family.

If a person has the Constitutional right to carry a deadly weapon while grocery shopping, clothes shopping, having one’s nail’s done or getting a haircut, without demonstrating proficiency with a firearm and applying for a license through the State,

then a person has the same Constitutional right to harvest game to feed one’s family, without having had required training or having to request permission to do so from the State.

Contact you state representative immediately and tell him or her that any “Constitutional Carry” law in Florida should include the abolishing of State issued hunting licenses and the training required to obtain one.

To locate your State Represtative and get contact information for him or her CLICK HERE or go to: https://myfloridahouse.gov/Representatives

You can also use the following shortcut: https://myfloridahouse.gov/FindYourRepresentative

This is an extremely time sensitive matter. Immediate action is required!

Florida: Constitutional Carry – HB-543

Its “permitless carry” not “constitutional carry”.

The first bill regarding “constitutional carry” in Florida has been filed by Representative Robert Brannan, of Lake City. It is HB-543. The bill is 63 pages long.

Contrary to common understanding the bill is “permitless carry”, not constitutional carry. Basically, in summary, the bill provides for the permitless carrying of a handgun or other weapon, by both Florida residents and non-residents.

The bill (HB-543) does not require training, fingerprinting or background checks in order to legally carry a firearm or other weapon, anywhere other than where otherwise prohibited. In the Bill, otherwise prohibited maintains all the locations where a firearm or other weapon currently cannot be legally carried. Everything remains the same. That includes businesses or other private property whereby the owner prohibits the possession or carrying of a firearm on his, her or their property.

The bottom line: An individual’s 2nd Amendment right does not trump personal property rights.

As good as permitless and constitutional carry sounds, a surge in the appearance of NO GUNS ALLOWED signs can be expected in private business. Private business that currently tolerate the carrying of firearms by trained, background checked and licensed firearm owners.

Yes, Florida’s concealed carry weapons licensing process needs revision; however, it is not believed that “permitless carry” is the answer.

Florida is the 3rd most populated state in the country, with a population similar to Texas. In September 2021, Texas’ “constitutional carry” law went into effect. Since that time, there has been a 550% increase in firearm violation convictions. That is convictions, not arrests. Firearm violation convictions rose from 1,049 in 2020 to nearly 7,000 since the last year reporting data was available. The same can be expected to occure in Florida. The question begs: Who benefits from “constitutional carry”? Follow the money!

You may not be aware that Florida currently has a “permitless” vehicle carry law in effect. Specifically defined in FS: 790.06, a person who is not otherwise prohibited from owning and possessing a firearm can legally transport a loaded firearm, in a vehicle or other conveyance, without a concealed carry weapons or firearms license, if done so in the manner described.

No background checks are required for vehicle “permitless” carry. No fingerprinting is required for vehicle “permitless” carry. No firearm training is required for vehicle “permitless” carry.

Have you noticed the sky rocking increase in road rage shootings in recent years?

“Permitless carry” in Florida . . . Be careful what you wish for. The result may be that where you currently enjoy the right to carry your concealed carry weapon or firearm (private business property), you will no longer be able to exercise that right. It must be kept in mind that private property rights supersede your 2nd Amendment right.

In the event you are not aware, government takes care of and protects itself.

Neither currently, nor in the proposed bill (HB-543), can a person or will a person be allowed to carry a firearm or other weapon, in any government building where government business is conducted. In addition, neither currently, nor in the proposed bill, can a person or will a person be allowed to carry a firearm or other weapon on any property owned by a public or private school. That includes: pre-school, elementary school, middle school, high school or college. It also includes any school sponsored event.