Gov. Scott signs Florida emergency concealed carry bill
It will now be legal for gun owners in the Sunshine State to temporarily carry concealed handguns without a permit during periods when the sun isn’t shining so bright.
Now law is a measure to allow law-abiding citizens without concealed carry licenses to bear arms during declared mandatory evacuations. A reboot of a failed2014 bill that was killed in last minute political maneuvering, this session’s effort had an easier go of it after police lobby groups embraced the proposal. It passed the Republican-controlled Senate in an easy 29-10 vote while the House last month approved it by a 86-26 margin.
“As Hurricane Season approaches it’s critical that our rights are protected during natural disasters,” advised Sen. Jeff Brandes, R-Petersburg, in a statement. “With the signing of SB 290, all lawful gun owners will be permitted to carry a concealed weapon if they are complying with a mandatory evacuation during a state of emergency. I’m proud to have sponsored this bipartisan bill ensuring that we have the right to protect our families during these sometimes chaotic times.”
This is exactly the type of thing I like to hear heading into the weekend. This law will allow lawful gun owners to possess a firearm during an evacuation, which will ultimately protect themselves and their family from the chaos that ensues after a Florida storm.
Times like these are always more dangerous, so it makes sense to allow more law-abiding citizens access to guns for defensive purposes. Criminals tend to get more desperate and brasher with their actions during the aftermath of a natural disaster. This is when a gun comes in handy, to subdue the chaos.
When Floridians evacuate their homes, they take what’s most precious to them. Their family, of course. Photo albums. Jewelry. Why leave your gun?
