Giffords Condemns Introduction of ‘No Questions Asked’ Permitless Carry Bill in Florida Senate

Miami, FL —  Giffords, the gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, condemned the introduction of permitless carry legislation in the Florida Senate. Similar legislation was introduced in the Florida House of Representatives on January 30. This legislation would allow almost anyone to carry a gun in public without a background check, any training, or having ever fired a gun.

“This week marks the fifth anniversary of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, where 17 innocent people senselessly lost their lives. Instead of working to address gun violence in the state, Florida Senate Republicans introduced dangerous legislation that will drive gun violence up and further jeopardize the safety of our families and communities. My father was murdered in Ecuador more than two decades ago. My family came to the United States, as so many Floridians did, to find a safer place to raise our children. This ‘no questions asked’ permitless carry bill will endanger Florida’s children. We must come together and make our voices heard.”

• Studies show that weakening public carry laws is associated with a 13–15% increase in violent crime rates, as well as an 11% increase in rates of homicides committed with handguns.
• One recent study found that when states weakened their concealed carry laws and removed provisions like live fire training and violent misdemeanor prohibitions—both of which Florida currently has—they experienced a 22% increase in gun assaults and a 35% increase in gun homicides. 
• The current law ensures that people with a history of violent or risky behavior cannot carry firearms in public places. Between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2022, 7,605 Florida residents with a disqualifying history were denied concealed carry permits. Permitless carry would strip these important provisions. 
• The state of Florida requires 1,200 hours of training to obtain a license to cut hair, 500 hours of training to obtain a massage therapist license, and 240 hours of training to become a licensed manicurist. If Florida passes permitless carry, the state will require zero hours of training for people to carry a loaded firearm in public. 

• Recent polling by Giffords and Global Strategy Group shows that over three quarters of Miami-Dade voters say gun violence (77%) was very important to their vote in November—more than inflation (75%), immigration (66%), or abortion (62%).
• Floridians, especially Hispanic voters, oppose permitless carry: 61% Floridians and 71% Hispanic voters oppose permitless carry, which Governor DeSantis has promised to pass.
• Over two-thirds of Miami-Dade voters oppose permitless carry (68%) with 60% of voters strongly opposing the policy. 
  • This opposition spans party registration and race. A majority of Republicans, DeSantis voters, gun owners (59%), and white voters (55%) oppose permitless carry. 
  • After hearing the policy would allow anyone who can legally purchase a firearm to carry a loaded gun publicly, along with examples of who those carriers would be, voters’ opposition grew by 12 points (68% to 80%) and strong opposition by 13 points (60% to 73%).

Resources:

• Why Permitless Carry is Bad for Florida Factsheet (English) (Spanish)