Two pro-gun bills advancing in Florida

The bills restore the right and responsibility of churches, synagogues and other religious institutions to make their own decisions about when and who can or cannot carry firearms on church property.

This just in from NRA:

ALERT! UPDATE on CHURCH CARRY Legislation

DATE:  March 11, 2021

TO:      USF & NRA Members and Friends 
FROM: Marion P. Hammer
            USF Executive Director
            NRA Past President

IN RAPID SUCCESSION,  SB-498 by Senator Joe Gruters (R)and HB-259 by Reps. Jayer Williamson (R) & Cord Byrd (R)  were both heard in their respective committees.  T

The Senate bill was heard in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday 3/9/21 and the House bill was heard in the House Education & Employment Committee on Wednesday 3/10/21.

These bills REMOVE the ban on CW license holders carrying firearms for defensive purposes in churches, synagogues and other religious institutions.  If the companion bills pass license holders will be able to carry in religious institutions just like they do when they go shopping or into any other private property -- UNLESS firearms are prohibited on the property by the property owner or church.

The bill RESTORES the right and responsibility of churches, synagogues and other religious institutions to make their own decisions about when and who can or cannot carry firearms on church property.

Both bills were amended to REMOVE a requirement to "post" policies.   

In the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on 3/9/21 -- SB-498 PASSED by a vote of 5-3.  Prior to passage,  Sen. Jason Pizzo (D) tried to effectively hijack and reverse the intent of the bill by submitting two unfriendly amendments. Both amendments were defeated. 

Voting FOR SB-498
Sen. Dennis Baxley (R) 

Sen. Jeff Brandes  (R)

Sen. Jim Boyd (R)

Sen. George Gainer (R)

Sen. Keith Perry (R)

Voting AGAINST SB-498

Sen. Jason Pizzo (D)

Sen. Bobby Powell (D)

Sen. Annette Taddeo

In the House Education & Employment Committee on 3/10/21 -- HB-259PASSED by a vote of 16-5.

Voting FOR HB-259

Rep. Vance Aloupis (R)

Rep. Alex Andrade (R)

Rep. Melony Bell (R)

Rep. David Borrero (R)

Rep. James Bush III (D)

Rep. Randy Fine (R)

Rep. Joe Harding (R)

Rep. Fred Hawkins (R)

Rep. Chip LaMarca (R)

Rep. Chris Latvala (R)

Rep. Patt Maney (R)

Rep. Amber Mariano (R)

Rep. Stan McClain (R)

Rep. Daisy Morales (D)

Rep. Dana Lee Trabulsy (R)

Rep. Kaylee Tuck (R)

Voting AGAINST HB-259

Rep. Kristen Arrington (D)

Rep. Christine Hunschofsky (D)

Rep. Tray McCurdy (D)

Rep. Susan Valdes (D)

Rep. Patricia Williams (D)

Each bill has one more committee stop before being eligible to go to the floor.