Reckless DeSantis “Anyone With a Gun” Law Takes Effect
Miami, FL —GIFFORDS Florida, the gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement ahead of Governor DeSantis’s reckless “anyone with a gun” law taking effect on July 1. This law will allow almost anyone to carry a gun in public without a background check, any training, or having ever fired a gun.
GIFFORDS Florida Senior Advisor and former Congresswoman Debbie Mucarsel-Powell:
“We have a gun violence epidemic in Florida. Instead of trying to enact policy to keep Floridians safe, Governor DeSantis shoved through a reckless permitless carry law that will allow almost anyone with a gun to carry in public, to please the gun lobby and help his presidential bid. He has failed our state and our children. GIFFORDS Florida won’t give up and will continue to fight for commonsense gun safety policies.”
GIFFORDS Florida State Director Samantha Barrios:
“Floridians want to be safe when they go to the grocery store or drop their kids off at school. They don’t want to live in fear of gun violence. This new law will undoubtedly increase gun violence in our state. Our children deserve ‘un futuro sin violencia’ and we are committed to working to make that happen.”
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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