The 2023 Gun Battle - RINOs Prevail

On our first anniversary, we are continuing to fully inform Florida Republicans

Florida News Report is back for all the shenanigans during this Florida legislative session, walking the halls, watching the grandstanding and following this year’s dog-and-pony show regarding “Constitutional Carry.”

Twenty five other states have Constitutional Carry laws, which protect the gun rights of its citizens. What Florida is set to add to the books is really PERMITLESS Concealed Carry.

Yet, many Republicans latched on to the name of the bill, and are out celebrating—which, frankly, amounts to carrying water as Establishment apologists.

So, we want to help explain what’s happening so you can stop being “conned” by some of the best “cons” in Florida. We want you to realize how you’re being conned so you don’t find yourself in the position of explaining away the GOP failures to uphold conservative values expressed in their own Republican party platform document. (If you need a refresher on what the GOP platform says about protecting and advancing gun rights, read Party Platform.)

GOP: Next Level Gaslighting

HB 543, introduced by Chuck Brannan and ironically called “Constitutional Carry” failed to included open carry, which is at the heart of the term “Constitutional Carry.”

Chuck is the same legislator whose staff trashed Petitions Supporting Constitutional Carry during the 2022 Florida legislative session. Brannon’s gun rights’ credibility was already shot coming into the 2023 session. Maybe that’s why he sponsored this bill, who knows? But the intent of the bill is now clear, despite Republicans purposely misidentifying its contents.

With a Republican Establishment Supermajority, we should have been able to pass a Constitutional Carry bill with ease. Instead, we have another example of the rampant deceit from the elected Elite who have made careers out of snatching the football from us—just like Lucy did to the hapless Charlie Brown.

And yet here we are again, surrounded by rank-and-file Republicans who are defending the bill, telling us this is a ‘win’ for gun rights and a ‘step in the right direction.’ With friends like these . . .

Let’s look at this excerpt from the Republican Party Platform document on protecting gun rights under the Second Amendment on page 12:

“We support constitutional carry statutes and salute the states that have passed them.”

Florida legislators are not saluting Florida—they are giving us all the middle finger.

Former Florida House Representative, Anthony Sabatini, who has been on the right side of every single Republican issue and legislation, is sorely missed as the lone voice defending the party platform in Tallahassee. However, he’s still engaged and has a growing base of support from every part of the state, stated, “Constitutional Carry without open carry is fraudulent.”

He’s right. As usual.

HB 543 also includes all kinds of new regulations:

• Whether you have a concealed carry license or not, you would once again be limited to a handgun, electronic weapon or device, tear gas gun, knife, or billie. Carry any other firearm or weapon and you would not be protected by your license. 

• You could be convicted of a felony (for a firearm) or a misdemeanor (for a weapon). It's even possible that carrying more than one of each listed item may be unlawful. 

• There is no open carry in this bill. This is permitless concealed carry which only allows a limited list of arms available to a limited number of people … and it is still restricted to citizens aged 21 and older.    

How we got to 21

Regarding the age limit set at 21 years old instead of 18, “21” was arbitrarily (And we would argue unconstitutionally) determined when then Florida Senator—and now current Florida Commissioner of Agriculture—Wilton Simpson wrote the Parkland bill because the shooter was 19 years old at the time of the shooting. The bill was signed into law by then governor, Rick Scott.

The Florida legislators knew the real Parkland failure was by the FBI who had received multiple reports prior to the attack that the shooter was dangerous. The FBI’s failure to act resulted in the deaths of children, not the age of the shooter. Federal law enforcement knew he was dangerous and FAILED TO ACT.

But common sense is not prevailing in the Florida legislature.

So, here we are again … another 5 years after the Red Flag laws went into place and severed the constitutional right of adults 18-21, 5 years of legislative sessions where Republicans are “defending” our rights … 5 years of gaslighting. Yet another “constitutional carry” bill has made it’s way through the Florida Legislator where there is a super majority of blue-coat Republicans writing laws contrary to the Constitutional and the Republican Party Platform.

And rank-and-file Republicans cheering them on and saying we “advanced the ball” when we actually PUNTED instead of making a touch down!

But don’t worry, right? We just have to wait until “next year.”

If you have a lead for a story or are an REC whistleblower, please contact us directly at FloridaNewsReport@gmail.com