The Florida House Judiciary Committee paved the way for open carry Thursday, approving a measure to legalize a bill allowing open carry-- the bill’s last stop before heading to the House floor -- by a vote of 12-4.
Only one Democrat, Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasalinda, D-Tallahassee, voted to approve the measure.
HB 163, sponsored by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Shalimar, would make it legal for concealed carry permit holders to carry their firearms in public. Anyone who willfully infringes on concealed weapons permit holders’ right to openly carry (like law enforcement officers) would face a $5,000 fine. Government entities who try to infringe upon the open carry rule could face an even higher penalty, $100,000.
Florida law currently prohibits open carry.
Some law enforcement groups and city mayors around the state have already voiced concerns over the legislation, saying it would make law enforcement officers' jobs more difficult and would hurt Florida's economy.
Committee members heard public testimony for hours on several portions of the bill, including several amendments to alter the legislation. One amendment in particular from Rep. David Kerner, D-Palm Springs, would have deleted the “open carry” portion of the bill, essentially nullifying the original intent of Gaetz’s proposal.
“"This amendment will resolve the issues that have been put forth that are not constitutional in nature,” said Kerner, explaining he believed Florida was not ready for open carry.
That amendment gathered the support of committee Democrats, who said the amendment would have made the bill a better proposal overall, but it failed.
Supporters of the bill said it would allow Floridians to exercise their Second Amendment rights and would make the state safer in all aspects.
"This would be a family friendly state because we allow people to carry weapons in their defense," said Rep. Julio Gonzalez, R-Venice.
Some sheriffs, too, said it would aid them in crime prevention and could be a good safety measure for Floridians in danger.
“It’s about crime prevention for me,” said Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, one of the few sheriffs in support of the measure. Ivey criticized the Florida Sheriffs Association for its blind vote on the bill.
Opponents of Gaetz’s legislation said while it might not be all doom and gloom for the Sunshine State, the legislation could heighten the probability of gun violence, particularly in highly populated areas like South Florida.
“I don't think it will be a doomsday scenario... although it certainly increases a potential that there will be very significant safety issues for my constituents,” said Rep. Kerner.
Other Democrats said the proposal needs significant work in other areas, expressing fears of concealed weapons permit holders committing crimes on the American people.
“If you want to move forward with this, you make sure someone who can get on a plane can’t get a concealed weapons permit,” said Rep. Jared Moskowitz, D-Coral Springs.
It's legal for gun owners to carry handguns openly in 30 states without a license or permit, while 15 states require a license to carry openly. If the Florida Legislature approves the measure, Florida would become the 46th state to allow open carry.
The bill will now head to the full House for a vote.
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
