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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill Monday morning that allows people to carry a concealed weapon in public without a government-issued permit, a top priority for the Republican governor.
The legislation also ends an existing state requirement to undergo training before carrying a concealed weapon outside the home. Applicants for a permit must currently demonstrate competency with a gun by taking a firearm safety or training course. The application process for a permit also includes a background check, which will also no longer be required if the bill is signed into law.
A news release for the legislation notes that it “leaves in place the current licensing process and background screening, so that those who choose to obtain a permit for reciprocity or other purposes are free to do so.”
“You don’t need a permission slip from the government to be able to exercise your constitutional rights,” DeSantis said Thursday, the day the state Senate gave final passage to the bill.
The bill goes into effect on July 1, making Florida the 26th state to recognize permitless carry. The bill previously passed the Florida Senate last week and the Florida House on March 24.
Since July 1, 2022, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has rejected 4,134 applications for permits because the applicant was deemed ineligible.
