Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R), when speaking to reporters last week, said if constitutional carry were passed, he would sign it. DeSantis directly responded with “put it on my desk, I’ll sign it.”
The Florida Capital Star has previously reported that the bill, HB 103, was likely dead last month. Historically, bills that do not receive much backing after the halfway point in the legislative session will likely die. In the case of the constitutional carry legislation, it has yet to make it out of committee or have a Senate companion sponsor.
DeSantis and Senate President Wilton Simpson have both expressed support for constitutional carry.
“If a constitutional carry bill gets to the Senate floor, and it’s heard on the Senate floor, I would vote yes. I would support that on the floor,” Simpson said. The other Republican legislative leader who has not spoken about constitutional carry is House Speaker Chris Sprowls.
The sponsor of HB 103, State Representative Anthony Sabatini (R-Howey-in-the-Hills), has referred to Sprowls as part of a contingent of Florida Republicans who he describes as “RINO cowards.”
“RINO Cowards like @ChrisSprowls are once again BLOCKING Constitutional Carry!” Sabatini said. “When will people wake up & vote these TRASH establishment ‘republicans’ out?! FYI—if your Representative and/or Senator is silent on Constitutional Carry, that means they are working AGAINST you!!!”
RINO Cowards like @ChrisSprowls are once again BLOCKING Constitutional Carry!
When will people wake up & vote these TRASH establishment “republicans” out?!
FYI—if your Representative and/or Senator is silent on Constitutional Carry, that means they are working AGAINST you!!! pic.twitter.com/a4YUJZn9gZ
— Rep. Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) February 9, 2022
Sabatini also alleged that Sprowls, himself, is blocking the legislation from advancing.
“The Governor is demanding that this bill pass. He wants it on his desk and the RINO Speaker of the House Chris Sprowls is still blocking it. We can waive the rules and bring it to the floor immediately if they wish, and it’s time we do that,” said Sabatini.
The Florida Capital Star reached out to Sprowls’ legislative office, but was unavailable for comment.
In a previously circulated video, DeSantis said “of course” when asked if he would sign the bill.
While gun rights expansion has not taken root, the legislature has also not taken up gun control bills. In total, 11 gun control bills sponsored by Democrats have all died without making it to a committee hearing.
Despite DeSantis’ plea to Republicans, the bill still has not gained any traction and the legislative session is set to end this Friday.
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Grant Holcomb is a reporter at The Florida Capital Star and The Star News Network. Follow Grant on Twitter and direct message tips.
Photo “Ron DeSantis” by Governor Ron DeSantis. Background Photo “Man with Gun in Holster” by gmsjs90.
