Florida: The New Wild, Wild West

I swear, the Republican dominated Florida Legislature needs to be bitch-slapped until they get some semblance of common sense. With all of the problems facing our state, these clowns are getting ready to make open carry of firearms legal in Florida. Their rationale? Supporters of this bill say that it is meant to protect concealed carry permit holders from an inadvertent display of their firearm.

Former Loony-head of the NRA, Marion Hammer, has testified before somebody that permit holders have been prosecuted when a gust of wind uncovered a concealed weapon or when that weapon "printed" under a piece of clothing. Of Hammer I would demand, "Either cite a case in Florida where a permit holder has been prosecuted or sit down and shut your pie-hole." Even if she could cite a case, there are available defenses - one of which would be a lack of knowledge or in legal terms lack of scienter. Sheriffs around the Tampa Bay area seem to agree that the gust of wind argument is absurd.

Opponents of this bill are concerned, in part, that open carry could have a negative impact on tourism and consequently on the Florida economy. Can you envision parents concerned about violence on TV, in the movies, and in video games being receptive to bringing their children to a Disney World infested with pistol-packing mamas and papas? How about that beer swilling bozo in the Speedo at the beach with a gun wedged under his gut. That image is disturbing on several different levels and should probably be illegal even without the gun.

As Jon H. Gutmacher, Esq. said in his book, Florida Firearms - Law, Use & Ownership, "...the mere fact that your firearm may occasionally "print" under your clothing doesn't mean it's not legally concealed."

This bill, sponsored by idiots pandering to lunatics is not needed and will be detrimental to all citizens of the State of Florida. This bill needs to die a quick and permanent death.