An Opinion on Concealed Gun Laws in Florida

By Abubakar Basubi
June 8, 2023

Governor DeSantis signed a bill on Monday that might change Floridians' lives when it takes effect. The new law will allow anyone to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. It means that no background checks will be required to carry a concealed gun in public. I don't know if it's just me – or does this sound like a ridiculous idea? Recently there was a shooting at Stoneman Douglas High in Nashville, may those souls rest in peace. Even the White House finds the law to be preposterous and shameful due to the fact that it's doing the opposite of gun control.

According to the White House, “It is shameful that so soon after another tragic school shooting, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a permitless concealed carry bill behind closed doors, which eliminates the need to get a license to carry a concealed weapon. This is the opposite of common sense gun safety. The people of Florida — who have paid a steep price for state and Congressional inaction on guns from Parkland to Pulse Nightclub to Pine Hills — deserve better.” I couldn't have said it better.

I want to know what was going through DeSantis' mind when he looked at the law. I get that some people will feel safe with a gun by their side but this will also increase gun violence and crime rates in general. Some ways Florida has tried to get people to support this idea is by saying the crime rate has dropped to 8.3% which counts for many violent and property crimes. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement also shows arrest lists for each crime. It seems that violent crimes like assault, stalking, and threats are still on the rise. Now imagine what will happen if you let all the rapists, stalkers, and generally easily ticked off citizens have a gun that they have just picked up!

Not just those people—throw in the 400k+ people who still commit violent crimes. I don't want to imagine a state where everyday is like MadMax. Although it’s a great movie, it should stay a movie and not real life. Though many opinions about this law have been expressed, we still have to wait to see if Governor DeSantis is willing to make any changes to the bill.