A small group of gun rights activists gathered Thursday at the State Capitol to show their support for the Second Amendment.
The group, Florida Carry Inc., is a grassroots movement comprised of people who “seek to protect and expand their individual right to keep and bear arms and are willing to exercise that right.”
The mass met with several legislators who are instrumental in preserving the Second Amendment for Floridians.
“Great to see defenders of our Bills of Rights advocating for Tallahassee today,” said Representative Anthony Sabatini, a conservative representing the state’s 32nd House district. “We need to protect the Second Amendment and that means putting an end to gun-free zones and passing campus carry and constitutional carry.”
Sabatini, one of the most vocal proponents of the Second Amendment, has filed numerous gun-related bills, including one proposal (HB 273) this session that would remove the requirement for a license to carry a concealed firearm where it is currently required for lawful gun owners.
Other pro-gun measures filed this session include a campus carry bill (HB 6001) and bill (HB 6003) that would repeal the red flag law.
Thursday’s gathering was in response to a Senate bill that seeks to close the gun-show “loophole” and create a record-keeping system for private gun sales.
That proposal, spearheaded by Senate President Bill Galvano, would require background checks and a three-day waiting period for firearms sold “on property to which the public has the right of access,” increase the age threshold when storing guns in households and open up private gun sales to government intervention.
A Republican-led Florida Senate committee passed the controversial bill last week, with four Senate Republicans voting in favor of the measure that seeks to take away the rights of law-abiding people.
Since last week’s vote, conservatives around the state have come out in opposition to the bill.
“The Senate bill should not move forward, it is unacceptable for our legislature to attempt to deprive the people of Florida of their constitutional rights,” said Leon County Republican Party Chair Evan Power. “Responsible gun ownership makes our society safer.
The vote has also caused strife within the party, with Governor Ron DeSantis and House Speaker José Oliva reportedly pushing back against the gun control bill.