Florida Exploits Roseburg Massacre, Open Carry Gun Law in Place

Florida is one of five states that don’t allow people to openly carry guns in a few form.

But Orlando resident Shawn Bartelt told lawmakers it would be scary and intimidating to see people walking around openly carrying guns.

“I don’t want my kids raised in a world where we’re not being more civilized”.

Gaetz argued fighting for gun-owners’ rights has the opposite effect, and he said federal crime statistics are on his side.

“While we will certainly hear from shrill voices on the left that open carry will lead to the wild wild west, that is not borne out by any of the data we have”, said Rep. Gaetz. He said U.S. Department of Justice statistics actually show a decrease in violent crime in states with open-carry laws. There is a separate bill working its way through the Florida Legislature that would allow concealed weapons on college campuses.

“All 12 of Florida’s public universities are confident that well-staffed and well-trained law enforcement teams, combined with robust mental health services provide the best opportunity for universities to prevent crisis situations and minimize any threats to our campuses”, said Davis.

Republican Gov. Rick Scott said Tuesday, while visiting a Pasco-Hernando State College campus in Wesley Chapel, that he “fully supports” the Second Amendment but would need to review both gun proposals before forming an opinion.

Open carry is nearly legal in Florida.

Gaetz said he expects concealed-weapons courses would be changed to include better instruction on how people can secure their weapons while openly carrying.

“I do believe that this bill enhances the rights of citizens, and vindicates and restores rights that have been granted, not by government, but by God”, Gaetz said.

Gaetz described his proposal, one of a number of firearm-related bills before the Legislature, as allowing citizens to be “armed with their own liberty”. HB 163 passed by an eight to four vote, in spite of vocal opposition by gun control activists and Democrats on the committee.

The legislation passed the subcommittee 8-4.

“What we’re talking about is allowing people to walk down the street, with a firearm in their hand, pointed down not pointed at anyone, they can lawfully walk past a bank, past a bar, past a school”, said Rep. Dave Kerner (D-Lake Worth). HB 163 would relax existing Florida law by allowing anyone who is licensed to carry a concealed weapon to be able to do so openly, meaning guns could eventually be visible on the hips of Floridans.

The Florida Sheriffs Association has not taken a position on the bill, but Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, speaking for himself, praised it as a helpful tool in crime prevention.

The Florida Chamber said it supports the bill but wants more assurances that private property rights will be protected.

Owners of private property like malls and movie theaters can still ban all guns if they choose, whether you have a concealed weapons license or not. Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, who is sponsoring the open carry measure in the Florida Senate, said the two should not be connected.