The fate of the open carry and campus carry bills in Florida now rest in the hands of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami. bizjournals.com reports that the two bills may face unequal fates . . .
The chances might be better that the Senate Judiciary Committee will look at allowing Floridians to openly carry sidearms [rather] than moving forward with another proposal that would allow guns on state university and college campuses.
Judiciary Chairman Miguel Diaz de la Portilla, R-Miami, said he and committee staff members continue to review the high-profile proposals, which would apply to people who have concealed-weapons licenses.
Senate President Andy Gardiner, R-Orlando has asked Portilla to move expeditiously. The Florida Police Chiefs Association seems to be on board, with minor reservations, and the Sheriff’s Association has been against the proposal, with some Sheriff’s supporting it.
Most of the opposition seems to come from people crying “blood in the streets,” though they have a difficult time explaining why it hasn’t happened in 45 other open carry states. From yourobserver.com:
Consider, too, these facts, courtesy of Rep. Steube: “After 28 years of data in Florida, licensed conceal-permit holders are six times less likely to commit a crime than law enforcement officers. Specifically, permit holders only commit misdemeanors and felonies at a rate of .0002% annually.”
Open carry has most of the advantages of police officers for stopping violent crime, and none of the disadvantages of police officers acting as revenue agents for the state on victimless activities.
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