Renzo Downey
Senate President Wilton Simpson says he would support removing laws requiring a concealed-weapons permit to carry a gun if it comes to a vote.
Simpson’s made the comment to reporters Wednesday after conservatives at the Republican Liberty Caucus said they met with the Senate President. The group has been among a cohort of pro-gun rights organizations pushing for “constitutional carry.”
“If a constitutional carry bill gets to the Senate floor, and it’s heard on the Senate floor, I would vote yes. I would support that on the floor,” Simpson said.
However, the Trilby Republican told reporters he would not get involved in constitutional carry legislation until it gets to the Senate floor. That differed from comments one gun rights organization said Simpson made during the meeting.
“Simpson told the group he ‘would support, vote yes, and challenge senators to bring a constitutional carry bill,'” according to an email.
A bill filed in the House (HB 103), and carried by Howey-in-the-Hill Republican Rep. Anthony Sabatini, would allow law-abiding citizens to practice open and concealed carry by removing laws that require a concealed-weapons permit in Florida. The gun rights advocates say there is a rumor companion legislation would come out of committee in the Senate.
Simpson is the frontrunner in the statewide race to succeed Democrat Nikki Fried as Agriculture Commissioner. The Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, helmed by the Agriculture Commissioner, oversees gun permits.
Simpson was happy to meet with the Republican Liberty Caucus, according to a statement Tuesday from Simpson’s spokeswoman, Katie Betta.
“President Simpson is unwavering in his support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding Floridians, as evidenced by his A rating from the NRA, which he has earned over a decade of service in the Senate by sponsoring and supporting legislation that protects our constitutional right to keep and bear arms.”
Pro-gun groups have also pushed Gov. Ron DeSantis to say he’d sign a constitutional carry bill. Last month, the National Association for Gun Rights shared a video suggesting the Governor would sign such a bill.
“Of course,” DeSantis is overheard saying in the video when asked if he would sign the bill.
The video, only six seconds long, shows DeSantis only briefly. The National Association for Gun Rights said it was filmed at a reception at the Governor’s Mansion on Dec. 3.
In a response to an inquiry by Florida Politics, the Governor’s Office described DeSantis’ remarks as a “general statement.”
“The Governor cannot comment on the details of legislation that he has not seen yet,” added Christina Pushaw, a spokeswoman for DeSantis. “Our office will be monitoring legislation throughout the process and will let you know if we have any updates to share on this topic.”
The bill, if passed, would align Florida with 21 other constitutional carry states.
Sabatini has filed constitutional carry bills in years past. However, the measure has not been scheduled for a vote.
9 comments
PeterH
January 19, 2022 at 7:03 pm
Can we please legislate that any individual over 18 years of age with no criminal past can legally buy and carry a grenade launcher in THE FREEDUMB STATE OF FLORIDA?
Preston Wheaton
January 20, 2022 at 11:32 am
A wise man speaks because he has something to say; a fool because he has to say something.
PeterH
January 20, 2022 at 1:05 pm
“The people of Georgia are angry. The people of the country are angry, and there’s nothing wrong with saying that, you know, that you’ve recalculated,” Trump said on the call. “All I want to do is this: I just want to find 11,780 votes, which is one more than we have… Fellas, I need 11,000 votes, give me a break.”
Donald Trump
Keira Lambert
January 19, 2022 at 7:43 pm
nice
Ken
January 19, 2022 at 11:05 pm
Yes please.
Ken Willey
January 19, 2022 at 11:09 pm
Honestly I’ll believe him only after DeSantis’ ink is dry on the paper. The Florida Senate has a history of killing gun bills at the final committee stop, Simpson ran for reelection on being the author of the largest gun control bill in Florida history, and Sprowls hates Sabatini so much he will make the entire state suffer.
Bob White
January 20, 2022 at 4:07 pm
Here’s the text of my Facebook post which contains the exact quotes from Senator Simpson. I have no idea where the quote in the article came from but here’s the actual ones.
The Republican Liberty Caucus Board of Directors met with Senate President Wilton Simpson on Tuesday afternoon in Tallahassee to discuss our Legislative Agenda which includes bills that we support and some that we oppose. At the top of our agenda is our support for Constitutional Carry. Here is exactly what the Senate President told us.
“I support Constitutional Carry and I would vote for it if it came to the Senate Floor” Wilton Simpson
“I have never told any of my fellow Senators not to file a Constitutional Carry bill” Wilton Simpson
Since the deadline has passed for members to file bills we asked him specifically about a committee bill which could still be filed.
“I have no objection to a committee bill being filed. I would be fine with that” Wilton Simpson
On Wednesday we went to the offices of the Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman, Senator Danny Burgess, and informed his legislative assistant of this conversation and told her we wanted the Senator to have his committee draft this bill. Later today we will be putting out an action alert to our members telling them how they can contact the Chairman’s office with this same demand. We will also post that here for anyone else that wants to participate.
Be On The Lookout! It’s Full Court Press Time!
In Liberty!
Bob White
Chairman, RLC Florida
Don’t Look Up
January 20, 2022 at 4:13 pm
I’m aware that today’s Republican Party most couldn’t care less about statistics. As documented elsewhere in todays press …. The States with the most lax gun regulations have the highest rate of gun crime.
Don’t Look Up
January 20, 2022 at 4:17 pm
Fun Facts:
As reported elsewhere in today’s news ….. States with the most lax gun regulations have the highest gun crime.
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