Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Jim RosicaMay 31, 2016

A plethora of high-profile matters is scheduled for argument before the Florida Supreme Court next week. The state’s justices will consider questions related to gambling, guns, capital punishment and medical malpractice. Another case involves claim bills, passed by lawmakers to pay people for injuries suffered at the hands of government or a public entity. Still two others involve attorneys […]

Jenna Buzzacco-FoersterMarch 2, 2016

Sen. Don Gaetz is hoping to breathe new life into a proposal that allows concealed weapon permit holders to openly carry their weapons. The Niceville Republican filed an amendment Wednesday evening to a bill (SB 612) sponsored by Sen. Alan Hays that looks to remove slungshots from the state’s concealed weapon law. Hays’ bill allows […]

Brendan FarringtonFebruary 3, 2016

The Florida House passed bills Wednesday that would let people with concealed weapons permits openly carry their guns and bring them onto state college campuses, as well as allow lawmakers to carry concealed weapons on their chamber’s floor. House members debated the measures for three hours combined, with most Democrats strongly opposing both bills and […]

Ryan RayJanuary 20, 2016

U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz will speak to reporters and the public about a pair of controversial gun bills circulating in the Legislature at her old state Capitol stamping grounds Thursday. Broward Sen. Chris Smith will join the Democratic National Committee chairwoman in Tallahassee to oppose legislative proposals to allow Floridians to openly carry firearms and to strike […]

Peter SchorschJanuary 9, 2016

With Florida’s Legislative Session only days away, one of the hottest issues to face lawmakers this year is Open Carry. Two bills (SB 300/HB 163) filed by the Republican father-son tag team of State Sen. Don Gaetz of Niceville and Rep. Matt Gaetz of Fort Walton Beach, would allow concealed weapons permit holders to carry a […]

Peter SchorschNovember 19, 2015

What exactly is a “regular guy?” In the Florida Legislature, there’s an implicit rule: Speakers who provide testimony should accurately describe their motives and agenda when speaking in front of committees. That said, it’s not unusual for paid consultants to speak on an issue, as it is equally common for concerned citizens to travel to […]

Ryan RayOctober 6, 2015

A House panel Tuesday morning advanced a bill to grant concealed weapons licensees to carry their guns openly in Florida. Or as sponsor Rep. Matt Gaetz put it, restore a right “granted not by government, but by God.” Despite an admonishment from chairman Carlos Trujillo to keep questions to the text of the bill itself and avoid “philosophical” […]

Melissa RossSeptember 21, 2015

Opposition to Florida’s campus carry bill is growing on the state’s college campuses, says one spokesman for Sunshine State academia. “Campuses are exponentially safer places than virtually any other public space, other than municipal and state buildings in which concealed weapons are strictly banned,” said John White, president of the University of North Florida chapter […]

Phil AmmannSeptember 14, 2015

State Rep. Matt Gaetz is leading the latest attempt to pass an “open carry” gun law in Florida. The Shalimar Republican filed HB 163 on Monday; in part, the bill would allow a person licensed to carry a concealed firearm or weapon to “also openly carry such firearm or weapon.” In a Facebook post in […]

Tag: open carry
Crowds gather to see Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. (Gabrielle Russon)

Bevy of big cases awaits state Supreme Court

Don Gaetz files amendment in attempt to resurrect open carry of guns proposal

House passes open carry, campus gun carry bills

Chris Smith to appear with Debbie Wasserman Schultz to address state gun measures

Open Carry advocates in Florida should take careful note of Texas’ new gun-toting law

Professional protester only “regular guy” to testify in support of NRA’s open carry bill

House panel pulls trigger on open carry

Academic opponents to Florida campus carry bill speak out

Matt Gaetz files ‘open carry’ gun bill