New Florida Law Eases Curbs on Guns

Many more people will be licensed to carry concealed weapons in Florida next year under a new state law--perhaps nine or 10 times as many people as at present.

“That’s a frightening thought,” said state Rep. Mike Abrams, who fought the legislation.

“The streets may be a little safer,” said state Rep. Ron Johnson, the driving force behind passage of the bill that goes into effect Oct. 1.

State officials predict that 120,000 people will apply for the state licenses to carry guns concealed on their bodies or in their purses, coat pockets or boots. And they expect that most of the applicants will qualify.

No more than 10,000 to 15,000 people statewide currently are licensed by local governments to carry concealed guns.

The Legislature last spring passed both the concealed weapons bill and a companion measure that wiped out all the local gun-control ordinances in favor of uniform, statewide laws.

Few Requirements

The local ordinances in most urban counties limited carry permits to people with a work-related need for a weapon.

But under the new law, a person with no criminal record need only pass a gun safety course, pay a $125 fee and express a need to carry a handgun, such as a concern for personal safety. They also will be fingerprinted.

Critics complained that the new law would make getting a license to carry a concealed weapon easier than getting a driver’s license. State Atty. Gen. Bob Butterworth called it “the gun dealer relief act.”

Abrams and others fear that the law sends a bad message about lawlessness and retribution, particularly in light of a recent shooting spree that left three people dead in a Port St. Joe courthouse and random shootings on California freeways.

But Johnson said he finds the thought of armed citizens comforting. Thugs might think twice before menacing law-abiding people if they think they might be facing a gun, he said.

“It’s our belief we might possibly see a decrease in the crime rate . . . because criminals don’t want to be shot,” said Marion Hammer, a lobbyist for Unified Sportsmen of Florida, backed by the National Rifle Assn.

Johnson was a close friend of Circuit Judge W. L. Bailey and attorney Tom Ingles, who were gunned down following an alimony hearing July 28 by an angry ex-husband. Also killed was the former sister-in-law of the gunman, who has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder.

Law No Help

Johnson said no law could have prevented those shootings.

“There are two types of people on the street: law-abiding citizens and criminals. I don’t know what kind of law you can pass to keep the criminals from doing what they do,” Johnson said.

Alan Rollins, assistant director of the office’s division of licensing, said his office is preparing to hire about 60 people to help process the anticipated 120,000 license applications.

State officials say the fingerprinting and training requirements should discourage criminals and mentally unstable people from applying.

The Florida Sheriffs Assn. plans to monitor the law carefully.

“We don’t want people taking the law into their own hands,” said John Fuller, general counsel for the association. “There are going to be one-man vigilantes out there.”

Urban communities are more concerned about gun control because crowding, traffic jams and other irritations of city living can cause tempers to flare quickly.

“Guns have a tendency to make a disagreement a tragedy,” said state Rep. Mike Friedman.