SpaceWar.com - Your World At War
Florida lawmakers approve permit-free concealed weapons
Miami, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2023
Residents in the US state of Florida will be able to carry concealed firearms without a license, according to legislation approved Thursday by the state's Republican-led Senate and supported by Governor Ron DeSantis.

The bill, which passed Florida's House of Representatives last week, cleared the Senate on a 27-13 vote, at the state legislature in Tallahassee.

When the measure becomes law, those wishing to carry a concealed weapon in public will only need personal identification, such as a driver's license.

Previously, people in Florida seeking such a permit were required to undergo training and a background check.

Those steps will no longer be required, although restrictions for gun purchases such as buyers being at least 21 years old, undergoing an initial background check, and not having been convicted of a felony will remain in place.

The Republican DeSantis, who is expected to soon announce his candidacy in the 2024 presidential race, has courted conservative voters in recent months with so-called "culture war" issues including gun ownership.

The governor said Thursday he will sign the bill, according to US media.

"As of right now, there's 25 states" that allow permit-free concealed carry, DeSantis said during a visit to a Georgia gun store as part of a tour promoting his new book.

"In Florida next week, we're going to make it 26."

Passage of the bill came three days after a shooting at a Nashville, Tennessee school that left six people dead, including three nine-year-old children.


ADVERTISEMENT




Space News from SpaceDaily.com
Macron says Europe must become 'space power' again
NASA raises chance for asteroid to hit moon
Tidal forces from the Sun may have shaped Mercury's tectonic features

24/7 Energy News Coverage
Tesla expected to launch long-discussed robotaxi service
Israeli army says struck ' inactive nuclear reactor' in Iran's Arak
New Zealand targets leadership in superconducting space tech with new research alliance

Military Space News, Nuclear Weapons, Missile Defense
Trump says US strikes 'obliterated' Iran nuclear sites
Israelis emerge from shelters to devastation after Iran attacks
Japan spots Chinese ships near disputed isles for record 216 straight days

24/7 News Coverage
NASA scientists find ties between Earth's oxygen and magnetic field
How did life survive 'Snowball Earth'? In ponds, study suggests
Arctic warming spurs growth of carbon-soaking peatlands



All rights reserved. Copyright Agence France-Presse. Sections of the information displayed on this page (dispatches, photographs, logos) are protected by intellectual property rights owned by Agence France-Presse. As a consequence, you may not copy, reproduce, modify, transmit, publish, display or in any way commercially exploit any of the content of this section without the prior written consent of Agence France-Presse.