Bill on guns, emergency evacuations goes to Senate floor

A bill allowing gun owners without concealed weapon permits to take their guns along during emergency evacuations appears to have a good chance of passing this year.

SB 822 will go to the floor of the Florida Senate on Tuesday after getting approval in all three of its required committee stops. A Senate committee killed it last year.

The state House passed the bill last year, and House committees have acted favorably on it again this year.

Past opponents of the measure, including the Florida Sheriff’s Association, back this year’s version after sponsors added stricter requirements, including a 48-hour time limit and a definition of evacuation. Last year, opponents mocked the bill, saying it would allow people to take their guns to a riot.

Republished with permission of The Associated Press.