State House Representatives in Orange County Are Fighting Back for Public Safety
Orlando, FL: Today Florida Republicans announced and filed House Bill 543, a bill that would implement permitless carry in the state and allow people to carry a concealed firearm without having to get a government-issued permit.
Under the proposed bill, Floridians would no longer need to apply for a license for concealed carry. The state of Florida already has some of the loosest gun laws in the nation, and allows firearm purchases for those 21 and older without need of state application, aside from federal requirements for background checks.
Should the bill pass, the regulation of concealed carry permits, handled by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, would end.
Below are reactions from Orange County Democratic House Members.
“Freedom should include the freedom to live a life free of gun violence. That’s not the case today in Florida and it won’t be the case with permit-less carry either. We are experiencing a historically high level of gun violence and the evidence is clear that this policy is bad for public safety, and passing it will be dangerous. Florida families and communities deserve real solutions to address gun violence—not extremist proposals that jeopardize public health and safety.” -Representative Anna V. Eskamani (D-House District 42)
“HB543 is an alarming permitless carry bill that would only exacerbate crime and violence. If passed, this legislation would allow anyone to openly carry guns in our communities, without any sort of background check. You can surely count me as a strong no.” -Representative Johanna López (D-House District 43)
“I am concerned about the permitless call bill being proposed in the Florida House. There are requirements to drive a car, cut hair, and even professionally apply make up, but you would need no training to own a firearm. I am disappointed that so close to the anniversary of the Parkland tragedy, we are seeing this bill. I need to see the data they talked about because it seems this legislation opens up the possibility that it will be more dangerous for LEOs and private citizens. I am worried this law will only lead to more violence.” -Representative Rita Harris (D-House District 44)
“Gun deaths and injuries cost the State of Florida $20.2 billion, which is almost as much as we spend in our education system. Last year alone more than 6,000 children were killed or injured in sensless shootings. We are focusing on the wrong issues! Floridians are afraid to send their children to get a quality education. Our constituents are struggling to keep roofs over their heads and food in their mouths. The list goes on. We need to focus on the things that matter and not issues that check a box for a political talking points. At the end of the day every Floridian deserves to be healthy, prosperous, and safe.” -Representative LaVon Bracy Davis (D-House District 40)
Florida is in the midst of a gun violence crisis. In 2021, 3,142 people were killed by guns across the state—nearly 700 more people than died from gun violence just one decade earlier in 2012. The evidence is clear that permitless carry is bad for public safety, and passing this law in the face of rising violence will only add fuel to an already raging fire.