Tallahassee, FL -(AmmoLand.com)-Â IN THE HOUSE:Â HB-163, Open Carry by Rep. Matt Gaetz was heard in the House Judiciary Committee and PASSED by a Vote of 12-4.
All Republicans and one Democrat voted in favor of the bill. It was a 2 1/2 hour hearing during which opponents of the bill, primarily the Florida Sheriffs Association, tried unsuccessfully to gut the bill.
HB-163 is a bill to allow persons with a Concealed Weapons & Firearms License to carry firearms concealed or openly which will prevent CW license holders from being charged with the crime of violating the “Open Carry” law because a concealed firearm, being legally carried, accidentally or inadvertently becomes visible to the sight of another person.
The amendment — to gut the bill — proposed by the Florida Sheriffs Association was defeated soundly defeated.
Rep. Matt Gaetz, a skilled Second Amendment leader, carried the day on open carry and the bill now moves to the floor of the Florida House.
IN THE SENATE:
Final Passage of three important bills today on the Senate Floor. All three bills now go to the House.
HB-344 Stand Your Ground/Burden of Proof by Sen. Rob Bradley PASSED THE SENATE 24-12
SB-344 restores the Stand Your Ground law to the original intent of the Legislature by putting the burden of proof BACK ON THE STATE where it belongs.
Through court action, prosecutors and courts have reversed the self-defense law that gives immunity from arrest, detaining in custody, charging and prosecuting until and unless an investigation reveals there is probable cause to believe the act was not lawful self-defense. They created a special “Stand Your Ground” that forces the victim to prove innocence rather than the state prove guilt. This bill stops that.
SB-130 Unlawful Discharge by Sen. Garrett Richter PASSED THE SENATE 37-0.
SB-130 is clarifying language that adds a subsection (4) to existing law to prohibit the recreational discharge of firearms in residential neighborhoods that have a density of one or more dwellings per acre.
It specifically exempts recreational discharge if “under the circumstances, the discharge does not pose a reasonably foreseeable risk to life, safety, or property.”
SB-228 Mandatory Minimum Sentences by Sen. Aaron Bean PASSED THE SENATE 38-0
This bill removes aggravated assault from the 10-20-Life Mandatory Minimum Sentences.
Prosecutors have been wrongfully using 10-20-Life to prosecute people who are exercising self-defense. This bill stops prosecutors from trying to put people in prison for 10 years if they show a gun to scare off an attacker or 20 years for firing a warning shot.
YOUR EMAIL TO LEGISLATORS ON THIS ISSUES IS A HUGE HELP. THANK YOU FOR HELPING PROTECT SECOND AMENDMENT AND SELF-DEFENSE RIGHTS.
About Unified Sportsmen of Florida (USF):
Unified Sportsmen of Florida is a 501(c)(4) Nonprofit Organization dedicated to protecting Second Amendment rights but under IRS Rules, contributions to USF are not deductible for tax purposes.
For more information, visit:Â www.scgaa.org/usf.pdf.
Marion P. Hammer is a past president of the National Rifle Association and current executive director of Unified Sportsmen of Florida.
lolpasco: this is exactly what happens in the Dayton Ohio area. People go to the supermarket with ARs or AKs strapped to their backs. That is just plain stupid. Why would someone want to scare people for no good reason. I’m sure there may be some reason to carry a rifle but grocery shopping sure isn’t one of them.
open is ok if you don’t have ass holes walking with ak47 or something like that if your going to be a ass you should get stopped buy a smart cop and they should have a law where you have to show your id and cwp
Stormtown, I agree the average policeman is probably worst than the average ccw civilian when it comes to weapons maintenance, and practice. I served 20 years in the military, Military Police and Military Intelligence fields, during which I met and worked with police units world wide. All were the same when it came to weapons, exception being those in a combat situation, little ongoing training. A lot of these cops never took their weapons out of the holster except at the range. Because a person carries a weapon, does not me him/her an expert about or with that weapon. Here… Read more »
@Maligator2459: That has to be one of the most even tempered, cool responses I have ever heard. Thank you for your time in service to protect the citizens, and I hope a LOT of other officers feel the same. Stay safe out there.
Imprint laws are unconstitutional , no where does it say to hide your rights or property.
the intent of the open carry law is to help those of us who may accidentally show a handle or even a buldge or imprint of the weapon through our clothing. Don’t know why the legislators couldn’t specify that in the Bill. Any dummy who straps on for show, deserves the beating a few bad actors will deal him as they steal that piece from him. I think that is what the Sheriff’s Offices is worried about. And, I think that part will be remedied as it works it’s way to Scott. It’s way better to keep the bad guys… Read more »
I have never understood the cc law, as it would seem that a license to carry concealed would be required as opposed to open carry. These new laws are good in that they actually give us more freedom instead of less as laws usually do.
Why should anyone be asked for a permit at anytime. It’s your second amendment right to keep and bare arms.
The only time anyone should need to know is if your accused of committing a crime. Other then that your first amendment right to privacy should stand without being violated.
My S.I.L. is a law enforcement officer. He and my son were ‘out back’ on my property trying out SIL’s new Glock 9mm.
At ten yards, neither of them were hitting a 6″ target!
They both were complaining of “bad sights”, “needs to go to a gunsmith to fix it”, etc.
I asked to try. Put two rounds in the middle of the paper plate, handed it back, and said “Nice weapon!”.
They cussed me all the way back to the barn!
L
Aaron !!!! Thank you for that. I think the response to the original comment was warranted. I also think it was awesome of you to bring up the recent conflicts we have fought since 9/11 and Prior. I am a mid thirties retired Army E-5 and I served with pride. I think one thing we should try and do is provide some real Legal Sanctions for those who misrepresent being a veteran, let alone serving during conflict. As for the open carry I think as many have mentioned this will shield those who inadvertently expose a concealed weapon. I carry… Read more »