GIFFORDS Florida Condemns House Passage of Dangerous “Anyone with a Gun” Bill
Miami, FL — GIFFORDS Florida, the gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, condemned the passage of permitless carry ‘Anyone with a Gun’ legislation in the Florida House. This legislation would allow almost anyone to carry a gun in public without a background check, any training, or having ever fired a gun.
GIFFORDS Law Center Research Director, Kelly Drane, testified in the Florida House Judiciary Committee against this reckless legislation.
GIFFORDS is conducting a persuasive advertising campaign against this legislation that includes an ad in the Miami Herald, digital ads, and billboards.
GIFFORDS Florida Senior Advisor and former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell:
“Florida’s families deserve to live without the fear of gun violence. This ‘Anyone with a Gun’ bill will let almost anyone carry a gun in public, without a background check or training. We know if this legislation is enacted gun violence will increase, yet the House passed it anyway. We urge the Senate to do the right thing and reject this legislation.”
GIFFORDS Florida State Director Samantha Barrios:
“As a mother of two young children in Florida, I fear for them every day. We do not need people without training or background checks carrying firearms in public. If permitless carry becomes law, arguments will turn into gun fights in our parks and grocery stores. The House took a dangerous step forward today. Floridians must step up and demand their elected officials in the Senate stop this bill.”
Why Permitless Carry Is Bad for Florida:
- 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.
Floridians Oppose Permitless Carry:
- 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%).
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