Lauderhill city commissioners voted unanimously 5-0 on Monday in favor of a resolution demanding the Florida Legislature to rescind its recently enacted permitless carry law.
“We [Florida] are fourth in the nation with the highest number of mass shooting incidents,” County Commissioner Melissa P. Dunn said. “Mass shootings in the state of Florida is 1.5 times higher than the national average.”
Dunn said 45 mass shootings occurred in Florida in 2022, which she described as an increase of 30% from the previous year.
Signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, HB 543 allows state residents to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit. The law previously passed in the House 76-32 and in the Senate 27-13.
“You don’t need a permission slip from the government to exercise your constitutional rights. We are restoring the Second Amendment here in the Free State of Florida,” said Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, earlier this year. Collins sponsored the proposal in the Senate.
Rep. Robert Charles Brannan, R-Macclenny, sponsored the bill in the House.
Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, previously said military and law enforcement leaders believe eliminating the permit requirement will help Floridians protect themselves.
“This comprehensive legislation ensures our laws respect the constitutional rights of law-abiding Floridians while at the same time incorporating valuable tools recommended by law enforcement that will increase the safety of our schools and communities,” Passidomo said.
While not required, Floridians can still voluntarily acquire a concealed weapons permit. Residents are still forbidden under Florida law to carry a concealed weapon or firearm in places such as schools, sporting events, and detention centers.
Florida’s permitless carry law went into effect July 1. When passed, Florida became the 26th state to enact “constitutional carry,” another term for that type of law.
“Unfortunately, local elected officials in the state of Florida are preempted from making any kind of common sense gun control laws,” Dunn said. “That responsibility is left for congress. That responsibility is left to Tallahassee.”
Dunn also called for DeSantis and the Florida Legislature to take action on the city’s resolution.
A petition to repeal HB 543 was started by Monique Henry, chairwoman of Leading Ladies. Represented by a group of women, the church-led organization advocates for prayer and peace in Lauderhill and other areas.
Members associated with the coalition include Genesis Faith, New Life Deliverance Center Church of God, and The City of Grace Florida, Chaplains on the Move, Global Kingdom Embassy, and Imani Christian Worship Center.
“Gun violence is a problem that extends far beyond statistics and headlines with the most recent shootings in Maine and across the nation this past weekend,” Henry said. “Throughout the United States, various states have recognized the urgency addressing this crisis.”
Henry claimed HB 543 “threatens to take us in the wrong direction.”
“Responsible gun ownership is a fundamental right, but it should never come at the cost of innocent lives,” Henry said. “HB 543 could potentially make firearms more accessible to the untrained with harmful intentions and undiagnosed mental illness rather than serving the cause of self-defense.”