Equal Ground strongly opposes legislative efforts to allow concealed weapons to be carried without a permit in the state of Florida. This decision fundamentally undermines public safety by placing firearms in the hands of individuals who may not have undergone proper background checks or received adequate training. Maintaining a permit process helps to prevent people with a history of violence, mental health issues, or criminal behavior from carrying concealed firearms. Not only does the absence of a permitting process make it more difficult for law enforcement to know who is authorized to carry a weapon, but it puts communities of color at greater risk, as racial profiling and discriminatory policing practices can lead to disproportionate enforcement of firearms laws.If it is our desire to uphold public safety, we shouldn't remove the systems and policies that help us do that.
Florida currently upholds "shoot first" laws like Stand Your Ground which is used to provide immunity in situations where a threat may or may not be present but perceived. February 26th will be 11 years since the senseless murder of Trayvon Martin by someone who used this law as defense and was found not guilty. Florida needs smart gun reform not more guns.