GIFFORDS Florida Launches Bilingual Billboards Against DeSantis’s Dangerous “Anyone with a Gun” Bill
Miami, FL — Today, GIFFORDS Florida, the gun violence prevention organization founded by Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, announced the launch of Spanish and English billboards educating Floridians about the dangerous permitless carry legislation that’s being considered in the Florida legislature. Last week, GIFFORDS Florida announced a three-pronged ad campaign against the bill, which would allow almost anyone to carry a gun in public without a background check, any training, or having ever fired a gun.
“Governor DeSantis and the Florida legislature are pushing forward a reckless bill that will allow almost anyone to carry a gun in public without training or a background check. Fistfights would quickly turn into gun fights and gun violence will rise in our state,” said GIFFORDS Florida State Director Samantha Barrios. “GIFFORDS Florida won’t be silent as Republicans in Tallahassee work to put our communities and families at risk.”
The billboards, based on last week’s successful newspaper ads, direct Floridians to BillboardAnswer.com (or RespuestaAlAnuncio.com).
BACKGROUND:
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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Our experts can speak to the full spectrum of gun violence prevention issues. Have a question? Email us at media@giffords.org.
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