A Florida lawmaker said he plans to call on state legislators to sign onto a special session to pass a constitutional carry law here in the Sunshine State.
The announcement comes on the heels of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signing into law similar legislation Tuesday.
When signing the law, Governor Brian Kemp said it was long overdue.
“Let’s quit delaying and let’s get this done,” said Kemp.
Now, State Representative Anthony Sabatini (R-Howie-in-the-Hills) says it’s time for Florida to act.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, in his announcement calling for a special session on redistricting, said he’d also be open to expanding that call to constitutional carry.
Sabatini told us he soon plans to petition the Secretary of State, asking for that special session.
He’s calling on state lawmakers to join in support.
“We’ve usually led all these other Republican states around freedom and the Constitution, and now all of a sudden we‘re taking a back seat,” said Sabatini.
He’s sponsored a constitutional carry bill for three years, but it’s never gotten traction.
His bill allows for permitless concealed carry and open carry of firearms.
“We don’t need to make people pay money to governments to defend themselves,” said Sabatini.
But Patricia Brigham, President of Prevent Gun Violence Florida, argues the term “constitutional carry” hides the true meaning of the policy.
She characterizes the law as “permitless carry.”
“There’s no constitutional right for anyone to be carrying around a firearm without a permit,” said Brigham.
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Not only does Brigham contend the policy is dangerous, but she also fears the sight of people openly brandishing firearms would ruin the state’s family-friendly tourism image.
“Would they feel comfortable walking around near the attractions with people openly carrying firearms? I doubt it,” said Brigham.
Twenty-five states have some form of constitutional law on the books.
For the special session to be called in Florida, 20% of lawmakers from both chambers will have to petition the Secretary of State calling for the session.
If that benchmark is reached, the Secretary of State will conduct a formal poll of both chambers.
If three-fifths of lawmakers in both chambers agree, it’s at that point a special session will be called.
Republicans have the numbers to act with or without Democrats signing on.
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