Florida lawmakers unveil new legislation for gun holders to carry weapons WITHOUT a permit in public

Florida lawmakers are set to pass a new bill which would allow people to carry guns in public without requiring a concealed carry permit.

Republican Speaker of the House Paul Renner announced the legislation during a press conference on Monday with backing from Governor Ron DeSantis.

Florida Republicans control the state's house and have enough votes on their side to win the bill, and it is expected it could be passed as early as March.

Currently Floridians do not need permits to buy a gun, but they do need permits to carry them in public. The new bill would strip away that requirement.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has backed the legislation that would allow Floridians to carry guns in public without a permit

Florida Speaker of the House Paul Renner announcing the legislation on Monday

Flanked by sheriff's officers Monday, Renner characterized the bill as 'central to our freedom.'

'Florida led the nation in concealed carry,' he said, and added that he now wanted the state to lead the charge in removing the 'government permission slip to carry.'

Renner and his supporters have called the bill 'Constitutional Carry.' 

But Democratic Rep. Christine Hunschofsky said the title was inaccurate.

'This is not constitutional carry. This is untrained carry,' she said. Hunschofsky represents the city of Parkland, where one of the nation's worst school shootings took place.

House minority leader Fentice Driskell said she was 'concerned' about the legislation and that she expected it to pass

Ron DeSantis pictured on January 23. He supported the new concealed carry legislation

Renner and the bill's backers said they felt gun owners are responsible and know how to safely handle their weapons. 

'We trust people to do the right thing,' Hernando County Sheriff Al Nienhuis said. He is the president of Florida Sheriff's Association, which supported the bill.

Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey said 'It's about time. Florida is making a huge step.'  

House minority leader Fentice Driskell said she was 'concerned' about the legislation and that she expected it to pass.

'I'm very concerned about this potential legislation because I do think it would make our communities less safe,' she said. 'It wouldn't surprise me if we saw a special session on this, prior to the regular session.'

If the bill passed, Florida would become the 26th state to allow permit-free concealed carry.

The current concealed carry permit laws require holders to be 21-years-old, and to complete a series of safety courses.

Permits cost between $97 and $119 in fees, and course prices range from $30 to $100. 

The proposed bill would only strip away permits for concealed carry. Floridians would still need a permit for carrying weapons in the open.