Gun Owners of America Applauds DeSantis Support for Open Carry in Florida

Last week, Gun Owners of America’s Florida State Director, Luis Valdes, took a moment to speak with Governor Ron DeSantis at an event in Jacksonville Beach, FL. Valdes asked the Governor where he stands on Open Carry and whether he supports having it added to HB 543 and SB 150.

Image/GOA

The Governor’s response was simple and encouraging: “absolutely.” He supports Open Carry and would like to see it added to the current permitless carry legislation working through Tallahassee, but he believes the current Republican-controlled Legislature would not be willing to add it to the bills.

Last month, Floridians traveled from all over the state to the Capitol and testified before the House’s Constitutional Rights, Rule of Law & Government Operations Subcommittee. Gun rights supporters told legislators that they wanted Open Carry added to the bill.

Frustratingly, when Rep. Chuck Brannan, the House’s version sponsor of the bill, was asked about Open Carry being added to the current text after the hearing, he simply stated, “[the bill] is what it is as it’s filed.” Despite being both the House sponsor and a Republican who campaigns on being pro-gun, Mr. Brannan’s words have been discouraging and hypocritical, and these sentiments have been echoed by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo.

“The Republican Supermajority is refusing to advance true Constitutional Carry legislation, even though the Governor promised to give Florida’s voters exactly that, and it’s what the citizenry is demanding,” said Valdes. “A real Constitutional Carry law will allow law-abiding Floridians and our guests to legally Conceal and Open Carry firearms without a government permission slip.” 

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