Florida leaders propose allowing concealed guns without permits

TALLAHASSEE — Calling the right to bear arms “central to our freedom,” House Speaker Paul Renner on Monday announced a measure removing Florida requirements for a permit and training to carry a concealed gun.

“Florida led the nation in concealed carry,” said Renner, surrounded by the bill’s House and Senate sponsors and Florida sheriffs, and now the state was moving toward removing that “government permission slip to carry.”

The legislation, which supporters call “constitutional carry,” would eliminate the need to get a license to carry a concealed weapon as well as the required weapons training that goes with it. If signed into law, as expected, Florida would become the 26th state to allow permitless carry.

“This is not constitutional carry. This is untrained carry,” said Democratic Rep. Christine Hunschofsky of Parkland, site of one of the most deadly school shootings in the nation.

Renner said gun owners are responsible enough to know the importance of gun safety.

“We trust people to do the right thing,” said Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis, president of the Florida Sheriff’s Association, whose membership supports the bill.

Their rationale is criminals don’t worry about getting a weapons permit before committing a crime, so why should citizens who want to protect themselves go through that process.

“It’s about time. Florida is making a huge step,” Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said.

The bill wouldn’t address the further step of allowing people to openly carry sidearms, he said.

Getting a concealed weapons permit requires a person to be at least 21 years old, pass a background check, complete a basic firearms training course and “demonstrate competency with a firearm.”

It costs about $97 to $119 in fees to obtain the permit. Training courses vary from about $30 to $100. It takes about 50 to 55 days to process a concealed carry application, according to state officials.

This is a breaking news story. Check back for updates.