Jesse Scheckner
Of the many traditions Ben Albritton is continuing as Senate President, at least one isn’t going to please Second Amendment purists.
He confirmed that like his predecessor, he will not support open carry legislation even if Gov. Ron DeSantis does.
“I’ve supported law enforcement my entire life. It’s the way I was raised. And I’ve been super consistent as a legislator to support law enforcement in Florida, and I encourage you to check that record,” Albritton said during a media scrum immediately after his installation as Senate President.
“They oppose it. I trust my law enforcement officials, and that’s where I stand.”
Albritton’s explanation for opposing open carry is identical to that for former Senate President Kathleen Passidomo. She told reporters during a news conference in March 2023 that because the Florida Sheriffs Association was against it, she was too.
“The Sheriffs who I deeply respect, who are in the business, who understand the issues, do not support open carry in the state of Florida,” she said, adding that the organization did support permitless carry, which lawmakers passed last year.
Gary Fineout of POLITICO first flagged Albritton’s Tuesday comments on X.
The push for looser gun laws like open carry — which, as its name suggests, would allow lawful gun owners to tote weapons in plain view rather than conceal them — has regained traction in recent months.
In August, a pair of gun rights groups and a Palm Beach County resident filed a federal lawsuit challenging Florida’s law prohibiting open carry, calling it a “blatant infringement of the Second Amendment right to ‘bear arms.’”
The following month, Palm Bay Republican Sen. Randy Fine vowed to file legislation to repeal statutes requiring that state college and university campuses be “gun-free zones” after a group of Jewish students were attacked with a glass bottle in Pennsylvania.
DeSantis, who supported and signed the permitless carry measure, indicated this month that he’s open to taking things a step further.
During an on-air segment with radio host Bob Rose of 97.3 WSKY, who said he’d “much rather have open carry than weed,” referring to the since-failed Amendment 3 ballot question, DeSantis said, “You may get that in this upcoming Legislative Session. Stay tuned on that.”
Albritton shot down hopes for such a bill hitting the Governor’s desk next year. But he expressed less disinterest in reconsidering a proposal to re-lower the minimum age for long rifle purchases from 21 to 18.
A House bill to do that — effectively reversing a standard lawmakers approved after the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School — died in the waning days of the 2024 Session because it lacked a Senate companion.
Were a Senator to do that for next year, Albritton said his chamber would “take a close look at it and see what the implications are.”
“But at the end of the day,” he said, “it’s due real caution.”
9 comments
Fred S
November 19, 2024 at 6:41 pm
Maybe Albritton should get a primary challenger next election cycle. I wasn’t aware the Senate President dictated policy.
Rock out with my Glock out
November 19, 2024 at 10:15 pm
Ahhh come on man. I just wanna show off my guns in public. It would be so sexy to pull our guns out in public and see who’s is bigger. I keep mine in my ford f-250 lifted on mud tires even though there’s no mud in Florida. Come check out my clip action and hot bolt working. Ohh yeah baby. Let’s make Florida great again and pass open carry!!!
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Earl Pitts American
November 20, 2024 at 11:02 am
Good Mornting Florida,
Florida needs Constitutional Carry [AKA Open Carry] for the Citizens Constitutional rights to be restored. And to protect ourselves from the Biden/Harris open border security breach.
CITIZENS MUST RISE UP:
By gathering together as many women’s panties as possable and sending the panties in several mailings to The State Capitol C/O Ben Albritton.
We must Not let this PANTY WAIST Ben Albritton “TREAD ON OUR CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS”.
FLOOD THE CAPITOL WITH PANTIES,
Thank you Florida,
Earl
JD
November 20, 2024 at 11:21 am
“CITIZENS MUST RISE UP:” can be used against all administrations. This is dangerously close to you advocating for violence. Are you sure opening Pandora’s box is wise? Perhaps you should stick to your panties.
Earl Pitts American
November 20, 2024 at 12:24 pm
Relax your Political Sphincter & Un-Bunch your panties JD, we’re just gonna flood the Capitol with ladies panties addressed to “PANTY-WAIST” Ben Albritton.
The media will love it!!!!
Earl
JD
November 20, 2024 at 2:44 pm
Stop lying Shitts. These panties are from your personal drag queen collection.
Rich7553
November 20, 2024 at 9:55 pm
Florida Carry is appalled at your comment regarding open carry. Are the FL sheriffs so inept that they can’t do what sheriffs in 31 other states do daily without issue? If you can talk to the FSA, you can talk to us.
Concerned in Florida
November 22, 2024 at 9:21 am
Platitudes and strong words only make you and your group feel good Rich.
That Earl dude and his panty drop on Albritton is an actual effective plan of action. Whatcha ya gonna do Rich? Poop or get off the Pot Son.
Concerned in Florida
Comments are closed.