Florida lawmakers propose bill that would make the Sunshine State the 26th state to adopt Constitutional Carry

On Monday, Florida lawmakers proposed a bill that would permit residents to carry a concealed firearm without the need for a government-issued permit.  This legislation could tip the majority of states into permit-free gun ownership.  25 states currently have either permit less gun ownership or constitutional carry.

Bill HB543 was introduced by Republican state Rep. Chuck Brannan and Florida House Speaker Paul Renner.  They were also accompanied by several law enforcement officers.

“Our right to bear arms, of course, is enshrined in the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution,” Republican state Rep. Chuck Brannan said during a press conference in Tallahassee. “The bill that I will file later today continues to advance Second Amendment freedoms through legislation known as ‘constitutional carry.’”

“I believe Floridians have the right to bear arms to protect themselves, their families and their property without government interference,” he added. “This bill is a big step to help the average law-abiding citizen to keep from having to go through the hoops of getting a permit from the government to carry their weapons.”

Brannan said the legislation was crucial for law-abiding Florida residents as Criminals “are getting guns anyway.”

“They’re breaking into houses, they’re breaking into cars, and they’re carrying guns illegally,” he added. “They don’t care what the law says. We are only giving our law-abiding citizens a simpler way to have the ability to protect themselves, their families, their homes and their places of business.”

The bill was praiseed by the National Rifle Association (NRA).  Their executive director of the NRA Institute for Legislative Action, Jason Ouimet spoke with Fox News Digital and said there is “no reason” that law-abiding Americans should need to ask the government for permission to protect themselves and loved ones with a firearm.”

“The NRA has worked to pass constitutional carry in half of the country,” Ouimet said. “If this bill passes, Florida could become the 26th state to fully recognize your right to self-defense. There is no reason why a law-abiding citizen should have to apply for a government permission slip to carry a firearm to protect themselves and their family.”