Florida May Waive Concealed Weapon Laws During Riots

The Florida House of Representatives passed a bill Friday that one local sheriff is calling “crazy” and “absurd.” The NRA-backed HB 209, which passed 80-36 with just six Democrats voting in favor, would allow Flordia residents to carry concealed weapons in public during evacuations caused by toxic spills, hurricanes, riots or other emergencies, the Miami Herald reports.

The Florida Sheriffs Association lobbied against the bill, saying it fails to specify when and where a gun owner could carry a concealed weapon during an evacuation order “The bill is crazy, it’s absurd,” Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri told the paper.

On the other hand, the sponsors of the bill are declaring victory before a companion measure has the chance to come up for a vote in the State Senate. “The bells of liberty are surely ringing throughout Florida today,” Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen (R-Fort Myers) said. “We are making sure that no Floridian in lawful possession of a firearm must leave it behind while evacuating in an officially declared state of emergency.”

One of the House members who voted against the bill, Rep. Victor Torres (D-Orlando), a former New York City transit cop, worried about the implications for law enforcement. “You are introducing concealed firearms in an environment that is already teeming with tension,” he said. “If this bill passes, I hope that tragedy is not a byproduct of our decision here today, and if it is, I hope we are ready to accept responsibility.”

[photo via Shutterstock]

— —

>> Follow Matt Wilstein (@TheMattWilstein) on Twitter

New: The Mediaite One-Sheet "Newsletter of Newsletters"
Your daily summary and analysis of what the many, many media newsletters are saying and reporting. Subscribe now!