Governor Ron DeSantis has ignited an intense debate among many on the anti-self-defense side who are outraged about his signing of a new gun law on Friday that will allow concealed carry without a permit.
Bypassing the normal necessity for extensive background checks, training and fees required by most states in order to obtain a concealed-carry license, this new legislation gives law-abiding citizens the freedom to protect themselves without unnecessary roadblocks.
Daily Wire reports, Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill allowing Floridians to conceal carry firearms without a permit on Monday.
With the new law, the majority of U.S. states now have constitutional carry laws, according to the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA).
NRA-ILA Interim Executive Director Randy Kozuch stated “The NRA applauds Florida for becoming the 26th state to adopt the vital Constitutional Carry legislation, This NRA-spearheaded initiative empowers Floridians to exercise their Second Amendment rights without undue bureaucratic barriers, affirming the fundamental right to self-defense.”
With supermajorities in both chambers, the bill received overwhelming support in the Florida legislature – 76-32 in the House and 27-13 in the Senate.
With the passage of the new law in Florida, now a majority of US states do not require a permit to carry a firearm.
The trace reports, more than half of the country now allows permitless carry thanks to DeSantis’ signature. Having a population of 23 million, Florida is the third-largest state in the country and the second-largest to enact permitless carry. In 2021, Texas, the second most populous state, removed permit requirements.
The majority of U.S. residents still live in states that require a permit or license to carry concealed firearms, despite the majority of states now allowing permitless concealed carry. With the addition of Florida, 142.7 million people live in permitless carry states, while 190.5 million people reside in states that retain their licensing requirements.
Most states required a license to carry a concealed gun during the 20th century. Until the 1990s, some states outright prohibited concealed carry, but permitting systems became more permissive within that decade. As of 2003, Alaska became the second state to allow concealed carry without a permit, after Vermont, which did not require them. There has been a dramatic increase in the number of states enacting permitless carry laws in the last few years. Eleven states have done so since 2021.
Florida’s newest gun law has sparked fiery debate among those who cherish freedom, and those who clearly do not. The controversial law, championed by Governor DeSantis, allows for citizens to conceal carry a firearm without having to obtain a permit. The passing of this law has been heralded as a victory for gun rights advocates, with supporters arguing that it honors the Constitution and makes the Founding Fathers proud. However, those on the other side of the aisle argue that it threatens public safety and is part of some sinister agenda to give too much power to conservatives. Despite the criticism, Governor DeSantis maintains his stance: Americans have a right to protect themselves, and this newfound freedom empowers them to do so. Ultimately, this new law symbolizes an intense exchange of ideas surrounding self protection and rights in one of America’s most populous states.
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