Why Did Florida Constitutional Carry Fail Again?

Why Did Florida Constitutional Carry Fail Again?
Why Did Florida Constitutional Carry Fail Again?

U.S.A.-(AmmoLand.com)- Constitutional Carry in Florida failed for the third year in a row. Not because Florida gun owners don’t support it, but because it seems to have been ignored by the Florida Legislature.

Even after Governor DeSantis made the public announcement that he would sign a bill for Constitutional Carry if it made it to his desk, and Anthony Sabatini presented the bill yet again, the Florida Legislature seems to have an issue getting it to the floor for votes.

This particular group of Legislators includes Senate President Wilton Simpson (R), House Speaker, Chris Sprowls (R), and House Chairman Chuck Brannan (R).

Wilton Simpson is the Author of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act (SB 7026), otherwise known as the Parkland Gun Control Bill. This law now allows law enforcement to confiscate firearms without due process when used with the Baker Act, it ended the ability for anyone to purchase a gun under the age of 21, it implemented a bump stock ban so vague that it included binary triggers and added a statewide 3 day waiting period for all long gun purchases for the first time in Florida. Chris Sprowls voted in favor of the Parkland Gun Control Bill in 2018.

You would think, after trying to get Constitutional Carry for Florida residents two years in a row, Sabatini’s bill would surely be a slam dunk the third time around, especially considering the 22 other states that are now on board with Constitutional Carry and the fact that the Legislature is comprised of Republicans.

Nope. Something went wrong again.

Sabatini’s Constitutional Carry bill was introduced and assigned to the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Sub-Committee Chaired by Representative Chuck Brannan but went exactly …nowhere.

According to Florida State Director of Gun Owners Of America, Luis Valdes, several Floridians requested this bill be brought up in Committee by Brannan only to be ignored and petitions deposited in the trash. Valdes told AmmoLand, “Florida’s Republican legislative leadership is instead, following the national party platform of the Democrats.”

It may seem that this Republican Legislature is stalling the Constitutional Carry bill. Why would we think that? Representative Michelle Salzman said so on video during the 2022 legislative session. Salzman claimed that Constitutional Carry was extremely important to her but went on to say, “It’s not the right time. You have the leadership in place that were the ones that voted in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Bill. Period. Like, was it a bad bill? Yeah. I mean, I think it was. They voted for it so they stand behind it and that’s what they’re doing. They’re standing behind their bill so they’re not going to hear a bill that omits the bill that they stood behind. It has nothing to do with what’s good or bad. It has to do with making a decision as a leader and following through with it. And so I’m not going to do anything to poke that bear. That’s a professional courtesy and many other things.”

In what seems to be a vote of support for President Wilton Simpson, USF Executive Director/NRA Past President, Marion P. Hammer said in an email to NRA members, “Groups that have been attacking President Wilton Simpson should have been standing in line to thank him for not hearing the following 14 gun control bills that actually were filed in the Senate.”

Hammer also said that the reason Sabatini’s bill wasn’t heard in any committee was because he never requested to have the bill heard and never secured a Senate Companion Bill. She also wrote in an email to NRA members that “Rep. Chuck Brannan has a solid ‘A’ rating with NRA and is a true friend to gun owners and the Second Amendment.”

Is it possible that Sabatini didn’t follow the proper protocol? Maybe. Is it likely that the same people who voted for a gun control bill are quietly trying to resist Constitutional Carry? Possibly. Could this be a case of politicians “playing ball” to suit their own interests? You decide. Then get out and vote for the Representatives who actually take action in support of your right to keep and bear.

The 2nd Amendment is not a privilege. It’s your right.


About Dan Wos, Author – Good Gun Bad Guy

Dan Wos is available for Press Commentary. For more information contact PR HERE

Dan Wos is a nationally recognized 2nd Amendment advocate and Author of the “GOOD GUN BAD GUY” series. He speaks at events, is a contributing writer for many publications, and can be found on radio stations across the country. Dan has been a guest on the Sean Hannity Show, NRATV, and several others. Speaking on behalf of gun-rights, Dan exposes the strategies of the anti-gun crowd and explains their mission to disarm law-abiding American gun-owners.

Dan Wos


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Bonnie

Chuck Brannan is my district rep, and I liked him, but he has been very timid on several issues. However, when I got the mailer that said he was holding up CC in the house, I called his office to ask why he had not set it for hearing. His legislative assistant lied outright and said Brannan can’t set bills for hearing (in his own committee?!?!), but only the Speaker of the House can set them. Seriously? I was dumbfounded that he would try to sell me that pathetic lie, so I called the committee secretary and got the page… Read more »

FL-GA

“Chuck Brannan, LA” instead of “Chuck Brannan, (R)”.
I like that. Thank you, Bonnie.

Hazcat

Hammer and the NRA need to get the hell out of my state politics.

I have written and called all of the above mentioned politicians many times to no avail.

DeSantis’ ‘public support’ came at a sparsely attended and little reported event and his ‘support’ was simply saying “Send me the bill and I’ll sign it”. Pretty weak.

KenW

While Hamer has done a lot for FL over the years, I have to agree with you.
It would not surprise me if she and the NRA are why CC doesn’t get the attention it should.

I believe DeSantis would sign it.

Russn8r

Corrupt Hammer is why no one was armed at Marjory Stoneman and Pulse nightclub.

Russn8r

What do you want DeSantis to do, light himself on fire? He’d clearly be happy to sign it despite NRA-Hammer giving cover to the RINOs who block it. What are you doing to primary them? What are you doing to oust the corrupt “Winning Team” vampires who run the NRA?

Last edited 2 years ago by Russn8r
I Haz A Question

So now we have 23 States with CC, considering Alabama is on board. If Ohio, Indiana, and Nebraska cross the line as well, we’ll be up to 26, or over half the States.

*Then* what excuse will the Florida RINOs have the next time this comes up for a vote?

Courageous Lion - Hear Me Roar - Jus Meum Tuebor

There excuse will be that there is no excuse.

JSNMGC

“Law enforcement told us it would be an officer safety issue.”

Courageous Lion - Hear Me Roar - Jus Meum Tuebor

@JSNMGC We are loved by those guys so much! And guess what? I love them less! Notice how they hide anonymously in the back ground and don’t have the BALLS to respond to our posts?

They are frustrated with the truth and all they have in response is downvoting and personal attacks. It’s hilarious. A certain percentage of law enforcement has made the claim that concealed carry, open carry, and permitless carry would be “officer safety issues” in numerous “red” states. Look in the other Florida thread – “Clint” uses the Nuremburg defense to apologize for enforcers. Where will that lead? Wild Bill keeps that false narrative about “insults” going when he and the crew make far worse insults. The fact is, they want to talk about only two of the three groups who are… Read more »

Wild Bill

Generally, voting, either way, is an alternative to long, drawn out, unfruitful, school yard … quibbles.
Specifically, you invite personal critique. It would be rude not to accept.

Last edited 2 years ago by Wild Bill
JSNMGC

You continue to refer to alternative points of view as “schoolyard quibbles” when you want to end a conversation about the role of law enforcement in limiting firearm rights.

I think the voting is humorous.

When the voting is for you, you explain it as shorthand. When the voting went against you, you immediately accused Russn8r and me of “cheating.”

What do you think about thousands of people contacting Bobby McCallum and requesting that he lobby for permitless carry in Florida?

Bobby McCallum
352-486-5111

https://www.flsheriffs.org/about/board-of-directors

Last edited 2 years ago by JSNMGC
MP71

I read somewhere that legislators are concerned that CC will negatively impact tourism. Perhaps they’ve forgotten about the early 90’s. The legislature debated bills to force rental car companies to remove anything that would easily identify a rental car. After Florida went to shall issue in the late 80’s, criminals focused their robbery efforts on tourists, who were far less likely to be armed.

Dean Weingarten

If Marion Hammer isn’t on board with a gun reform measure in Florida, it goes nowhere.
If Marion Hammer can be brought on board with Constitutional Carry, it can be done in Florida.

Russn8r

Again, it’s the corrupt NRA sabotaging Permitless Carry in Florida, insisting on deadly “gun free” zones, covering gun grabbers with phony As. Pols should do the right thing anyway, but it’s unrealistic to expect them to take a loyal 2A position in the face of NRA subversion.

NRA Delenda Est

Orion

NRA never supported the ban on new machine guns nor did they support the 1994 AWB. Why do you lie? And while they briefly announced some support for studies on bump stocks and federal red flags those were quickly reversed.

Russn8r

Who do you think you’re kidding? I was there, since 1978, 2A activist, endowment member. NRA backed the Volkmer-McClure machine gun ban. In re AWBs, NRA has lots of tricks to unofficially back gun grabs. e.g., Winking at pols: Don’t worry, you’ll keep your phony A grades if you vote for AWBs, Lautenberg, Sotomayor, etc. Putting Bill Ruger, Father of Assault Weapon & magazine bans on the Rifleman cover as a “2A Hero”. That’s just the tip of the iceberg of your betrayals. I was there. Saw it too often.

Last edited 2 years ago by Russn8r
Orion

i was there as well and the NRA opposed the last minute isertion of the Hughes Amendment and its voice vote but lacked the muscle to keep it out. Fact.
if you were indeed there or involved then you are blind…. your recent bs posts confirm it daily.

Russn8r

Stop lying. You supported the final bill with the machine gun ban in it and gave “A” & “A+” grades to pols who voted for the final bill with the ban. Try to be an honorable man and admit it.

Last edited 2 years ago by Russn8r
Orion

Honorable? LMFAO! you haven’t the faintest clue of its definition.

Russn8r

More projection. How’s Wayne taste today?

JSNMGC

The NRA supported FOPA (with the Hughes Amendment).

When the Hughes Amendment could not be removed, the NRA supported FOPA with the Amendment.

When armed government employees flagrantly abused the power given to them by the GCA of 1968, the response shouldn’t have been FOPA. The response should have been:

  • Terminate the armed government employees;
  • Ensure the armed government employees’ pensions were discarded;
  • Charge, convict, and incarcerate the armed government employees; and
  • Rally an effort to repeal the GCA of 1968.
Orion

still, that doesn’t negate the fact the NRA opposed Hughes as your buddy implies.
More to the point, NRA doesn’t vote on laws or regulations…. that would be the House and Senate. Want blame someone….blame Congress.

JSNMGC

I do blame congress.

I also blame several AGs.

I also blame the BATFE.

I also blame the NRA for not bringing more attention to the armed government employees who abused their power and for not using that information in a massive effort to rescind the GCA of 1968.

FOPA was a band aid on cancer. FOPA with the Hughes amendment was a band aid and a poke in the eye.

The cancer should have been removed.

The NRA opposed the Hughes Amendment and then supported FOPA with the Hughes Amendment.

Last edited 2 years ago by JSNMGC
Russn8r

I blame you for giving phony A grades to pols who voted for it.

Russn8r

Expanded list. Still just the tip of your subversion-betrayal iceberg. Have a nice day!

Orion

lol…. see your doc ASAP. Whatever meds you’re on today, they aint workin’!

Russn8r

Go guzzle some more Pepe LaPew, big boy.

Wild Bill

You are wasting your time with this one. He is perverse of mind, squalor of mouth, and mannerless.

Russn8r

More projection from the fake rancher with 20 sock puppets.

Wild Bill

No medication can help this one.

Tackleberry

Midol?

Wild Bill

Not even Midol, brother!

Russn8r

So you toady up to NRA shills like Orion now. Revealing. Your self-esteem depends on snippy effeminate comments & running a sock puppet posse to upvote yourself & downvote opinions you don’t want seen, who you see as a threat to curating your virtual life in an online sandbox. Sad but amusing.

Russn8r

NRA shill can’t honestly refute the expanded list, so he goes to the boring meds deflection.

Check out this pic at NRA

JSNMGC

Also, the NRA announced more than some brief support for studies on bump stocks. They were not as crystal clear as Polk County Sheriff, Grady Judd -they were more like Texas Senator John Cornyn. Grady Judd: “Polk County sheriff Grady Judd is calling on Congress to ban devices that can make non-automatic firearms function like automatic firearms. Reacting to the Las Vegas shooting spree that killed 59 people Sunday, the sheriff said it is time for Congress to act, and to do so quickly, and responsibly.”   Cornyn and his big but:  “Sen. John Cornyn, of Texas, said ‘I think that’s… Read more »

Russn8r

Proof NRA backs gun controls it allegedly opposes: Faux A & A+ grades for pols like Cornyn who betray us

Last edited 2 years ago by Russn8r
JSNMGC

Phillip Journey dismissed the concept of downgrading flip flopping politicians. People like Cornyn know the NRA won’t hold them accountable and most of the voters either don’t care much about firearm rights or are not involved enough to know what Cornyn does.

Russn8r

I distrust Journey. If grades don’t matter, why grade? They matter. 2A squishes need them to defeat pro-2A primary challengers

Last edited 2 years ago by Russn8r
Russn8r

NRA’s budget is 100s of millions of $s/yr, controlled by Hammer, LaPew & other corrupt vampires. We don’t have the money to buy her.

NRA Delenda Est

GoodGuy729

It’s basically the same in South Carolina. RINO’s led by the head of the Judiciary Committee chair, Luke Rankin, refuse to allow the CC bill out of committee and on the floor for a full vote. Rankin needs to go!!!

Last edited 2 years ago by GoodGuy729
nrringlee

Republican does not mean Conservative. Republican does not mean Constitutional. Republican very often means globalist, corporatist, or even progressive. This is what we are seeing here. When your legislature is greased with just enough Bloomberg money you will watch bills like Constitutional Carry slip and slide to to side and off the edge time and again. Follow the money. Name names. This is how you clean up the mess in your legislature and in the republican cartel as a whole. The four new commandments of firearms safety need to be amended to add: Never give money to the republican party.… Read more »

KenW

I was in a gun shop awhile back and CC was being discussed and the general consensus was that FL likes the revenue that permits generate.

Finnky

Then they have not been paying attention to states that have already switched to CC. In most the number of permits has not decreased significantly, wouldn’t be surprised if it’s actually increased. Once someone starts carrying locally, they look into how to bring their sidearm on travels out of state. They look into differential treatment under the law and LEO discretion. At least in TX an LTC often serves as a traffic ticket pass, which for some may be reason enough to get one even if they don’t own a gun! So many reasons to have permit regardless of whether… Read more »

Wild Bill

Membership in the Texas Sheriffs’ Association is also a kind of traffic ticket pass. TSRA stickers on the back window do not hurt either.

Jason

RINOs Are Dims

KenW

Not quite, FL Democrats are a lot like CA Democrats, therefore not voting for our RINOs and letting a Dem. get elected is not beneficial at all.

FL Democrats would repeal the CWL as well as pass an assault weapons ban.

HLB

Probably true, but is the situation we exist in now acceptable? Maybe if we let the worst that the Democrats want come true, that would cause a constitutional resurgence and cap the problem off. If not, then I am forced to exist in a rising temperature warm water bath.

HLB

Wild Bill

The primary elections are the key. If one just accept what the party put out, then you get rinos. Primary the rinos out and you get Americans.

john

Interesting read Thank you We can no longer trust the elected most are pandering to everyone they come in contact with this is called the kissing baby syndrome. Today the elected are not sure which way to lean in the republican party. They have let most of use down remember the elite in the republican party hated Trump and he gave them no choice. Think who have the republicans supported that could be President , Mitt Romney he stepped aside for Obama and now proves that he should be a democrat for all his political viewpoints. Those that stood with… Read more »

Last edited 2 years ago by john
Wolf44

Strange that as a Life member of the NRA I never received any of those emails. Why do they say that they sent emails to members and some members got them? Sounds phony to me.

Bill B

Another case of gutless politicians who say they support our CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS but work to undermine them. If the people who voted them in don’t to kick these traitors out have only themselves to blame. Don’t elect snakes and not expect to get bit!

Russn8r

Did you try to interview Sabatini to get his take on Hammer’s claims that he didn’t ask the bill to be heard and Simpson & Brannon are 2A heroes?

Courageous Lion - Hear Me Roar - Jus Meum Tuebor

My rights are UNalienable. The second amendment is saying to the psychopathic control freak elite “lawmakers”, to LEAVE THAT RIGHT ALONE! But, hey, what’s another turd on top of the US Constitution that they have had laying in the latrine since the 1860’s…Reads like you have a whole orgy of RINO’S in Florida!