Jeff Brandes refiles controversial gun bill from 2014

jeff brandes house photo 2

State Sen. Jeff Brandes has again filed a bill which would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a license during mandatory evacuations.

After a contentious debate led to the failure of a similar proposal last year, the St. Petersburg Republican filed the bill (SB 290) on Thursday that revives the issue.

Among critics of the 2014 measure were the Florida Sheriffs Association, which raised doubts about when, where and for how long a person can continue carrying a concealed weapon without a license outside of the evacuation area.

Last May, the National Rifle Association, which called opposition to the proposal a “war on the Second Amendment,” vowed to return to the matter in 2015.

SB 290 calls for an exception to Florida’s existing concealed weapons law. If passed, it will allow unlicensed persons to carry “a concealed firearm, on or about his or her person while in the act of evacuating during a mandatory evacuation order issued during a state of emergency declared by the governor … or declared by a local authority.”

Brandes’ proposal will be under consideration during the upcoming session beginning in March.

Phil Ammann

Phil Ammann is a Tampa Bay-area journalist, editor and writer. With more than three decades of writing, editing, reporting and management experience, Phil produced content for both print and online, in addition to founding several specialty websites, including HRNewsDaily.com. His broad range includes covering news, local government, entertainment reviews, marketing and an advice column. Phil has served as editor and production manager for Extensive Enterprises Media since 2013 and lives in Tampa with his wife, visual artist Margaret Juul. He can be reached on Twitter @PhilAmmann or at [email protected].


4 comments

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  • JAQUEBAUER

    January 13, 2015 at 5:34 am

    Provided the individual is not otherwise prohibited by law (felons, etc) from possessing a firearm this law should be passed. The Right To Bear Arms Shall Not be Infringed is in the Bill of Rights. It should be followed by state governments. The trouble will come when crazed overstressed police shoot to kill first the family man who is trying to rescue his family and who misunderstands the order to drop your weapon and lay on the hood.

  • Calm Seas

    February 7, 2015 at 9:16 am

    You only have to look at what happened in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to see why this bill is necessary. Armed thugs running wild at night while the police confiscated the guns of lawful property owners during the daytime who were simply trying to protect themselves, their families & their property.

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