Republican Governor Ron DeSantis has signed a bill into law that lifts the unconstitutional requirements for Floridians to obtain a permit to carry a concealed firearm in the state.
DeSantis signed the bill into law on Monday to allow people to conceal-carry a firearm in Florida without obtaining a permit.
Florida’s new law now means that the majority of U.S. states have constitutional carry laws in place.
The move was celebrated in a statement from the National Rifle Association Institute for Legislative Action (NRA-ILA).
“The NRA applauds Florida for becoming the 26th state to adopt the vital Constitutional Carry legislation,” NRA-ILA Interim Executive Director Randy Kozuch told Fox News.
“This NRA-spearheaded initiative empowers Floridians to exercise their Second Amendment rights without undue bureaucratic barriers, affirming the fundamental right to self-defense.”
“We thank Gov. DeSantis for his support of self-defense and Second Amendment laws and for prioritizing the safety and security of Florida residents.”
“We extend our gratitude to the Florida legislature and all those who have worked tirelessly to make this a reality in the Sunshine State,” Kozuch later added.
The law allows eligible citizens who are at least 21 years old to carry the weapon without having to obtain a permit or pay a fee, Fox News noted.
The Florida Senate voted 27 to 13 last week on the constitutional carry bill, sending the legislation to DeSantis, who signed it into law on Monday morning.
The law will officially go into effect on July 1, 2023.
“Constitutional Carry is in the books,” DeSantis said in a press release Monday.
Florida state Democrats and activists argued that easier access to conceal carry would lead to more violence.
Neighboring Georgia became the 25th state with a constitutional carry law on the books when Gov. Brian Kemp signed a similar bill nearly one year ago.