FL House Passes Gun Bills

But the House Appropriations Committee on Wednesday passed a spending plan that includes no new money for the incentive program. Some Democrats who oppose the bill say they are concerned about allowing people who have no training to carry concealed weapons.

Even after the win, movement to law on the two bills is stalled as they await hearings on companion measures in the Florida Senate where passage through that body could prove elusive due to friction with Sen.

But opponents argued the measure would hurt Florida’s lucrative tourist industry, confuse law enforcement in tense situations and heighten the risk of violence for residents.

“I think now he has some concerns about open carry”, Gardiner said.

“This house has shown a history to be conservative on gun issues and very supportive of Second Amendment rights, so we feel we passed a good couple of bills to send over to the Senate and we’ll see what happens from there”, House Speaker Steve Crisafulli said.

Rep. Dwight Dudley, D-St.

“It’s pretty scary, considering all the stuff that’s been going on recently with shootings on campuses and just knowing random students walking around have guns”, UNF student Zack Renna said.

The state’s League of Cities, Florida Sheriffs Association and League of Women Voters all oppose open-carry, while the state’s Police Chiefs Association dropped resistance when the holstering requirement was added.

Florida has more than 1.4 million concealed weapons license holders.

Two Republicans, Rep. Ray Pilon, of Sarasota, and Rep. Bill Hager, of Delray Beach, voted with Democrats against campus carry.

Both cleared the House Wednesday afternoon, but Senate President Andy Gardiner said the Senate may let both measures die without a hearing.

Rehwinkel-Vasilinda is a member of the faculty at Tallahassee Community College. Meanwhile, Democratic President Barack Obama last month signed an executive order expanding background checks for some firearms purchases, which gun proponents called an antagonism.

Representative Matt Gaetz introduced the open carry bill.