HB1916 by Rep. Michael Beltran (PDF)



Spent the last couple of months working behind the scenes with Rep. Beltran's office to craft this bill.

Looks great, thanks for the hard work.

What is the reality of it going anywhere since the rinos down south keep killing it?

Put DeSantis between a rock and a hard place. He said he supports it and would back it if legislation was introduced. Well, it was introduced. Now he has to put up or shut up.

Are the revisions to the bump fire language related to the same language that Scott signed into law being moved to the machine gun definition in a different bill?

Interested to see what happens.

Thanks for doing this!  Who should we be calling and emailing?  I live in Tallahassee.

Good show Luis..............who else is on board with this, how many co sponsors and what positions have the FPCA and FLSA taken????

Was on the Bob Rose Show (97.3 WSKY) this morning discussing the Open Carry bill (HB 1619) introduced by Rep. Mike Beltran. Take a listen.

https://omny.fm/shows/wsky-the-bob-rose-show/is-open-carry-going-to-be-an-option-in-florida-cal

For most gun owners in America, Open Carry has long been the law of their state. But in Florida, peaceful Open Carry of a handgun has been illegal and has been banned in the “Gunshine State” since 1987.

Yes, you read that right: Open Carry is banned in Florida. 45 states have legalized Open Carry, but Florida ain’t one of ‘em!
The state that likes to crow about how it is the freest state in the nation — is, in fact the only Republican-controlled state in the nation that bans Open Carry. The only other four states that outright banned open carry are New York, Illinois, California, and Connecticut. And coming as a shock to no one, the rest of their gun laws are horrendous as well.

But the worst part is, Florida’s Open Carry ban was instituted by then-Dade County State Attorney Janet Reno. Yes, the same Janet Reno, who was Bill Clinton’s Attorney General, had no problem ordering federal law enforcement to enforce an unconstitutional order, which sadly resulted in the murder of women and children.

Republicans, controlling Florida since 2000, have been upholding her ban on Open Carry while touting themselves as pro-gun champions.
Multiple times throughout the past two decades, Open Carry bills have been introduced and smothered by Republican legislative leadership and Republican governors. Previous Republican governors like Rick Scott, Charlie Crist, and Jeb Bush never once lifted a finger to support Open Carry or even publicly state they support it.

Legislative leaders have constantly claimed that they won’t support an Open Carry bill as long as the Florida Sheriffs Association doesn’t support it. Additionally, they have previously hidden behind prior Governors staying silent on the issue and used that silence to bolster their anti-gun stance.

Well, that all changed in 2023 when this author confronted Gov. Ron DeSantis and outright asked him where he stands on Open Carry. Gov. DeSantis said he fully supports repealing the ban, but as governor he couldn’t do much until there is a bill or amendment introduced in the legislature.

That’s where Rep. Mike Beltran stepped up to the plate in the Florida legislature and decided that he’d give Gov. DeSantis a bill.
Rep. Beltran, who is passionate about freedom and liberty, reached out to Gun Owners of America a few months back asking for input on what needs to be in a good Open Carry bill.

Through the hard work of GOA and their friends over at Florida Carry, the candle was burnt at both ends to craft the best Open Carry bill possible. After a lot of back and forth with Rep. Beltran, HB 1619 was finalized and introduced on the first day of Florida’s legislative session.

HB 1619 does a few key things:

*It legalizes Open Carry in Florida.

*College/University Campuses are no longer gun-free zones.

*It repeals the ability for law enforcement to declare someone simply carrying a firearm is an automatic breach of the peace and an arrestable offense.

*If a person still wants to get a Florida CCW permit, the state, not the applicant, shall pay for the fingerprinting.

*Polling places are no longer gun-free zones.

*Adult career centers are no longer gun-free zones.

*Adults under 21 can legally have a handgun in their vehicle if it is securely encased (a loaded firearm in a closed center console or glove compartment is legally defined as securely encased).

The Republican legislative leadership can’t really come up with any excuse this year for killing such a bill.

They can no longer hide behind the governor or the Florida Sheriff Association. Sheriff Bill Leeper of Nassau County, the current president of the Florida Sheriffs Association, has stated in the past that he supports Open Carry. As does Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey, who also backs Open Carry. Plus, you have Gov. DeSantis openly stating he backs Open Carry.

What excuse can the Republican legislative leadership really use to defend Democrat anti-freedom gun control policies anymore? Law enforcement supports Open Carry … the Governor supports Open Carry … and as we saw last session, the people support Open Carry too.

The Republican leadership no longer has the ability to claim ignorance on this issue. The people want their Second Amendment rights restored, and HB 1619 is one of the vehicles to accomplish this. HB 1619, in combination with HB 17 and HB 1223, truly makes Florida the “Gunshine State” since HB 17 repeals mandatory waiting periods, and HB 1223 restores adults under the age of 21 to legally purchase firearms.

The legislature and governor must act in defense of the Second Amendment and restore our right to keep and bear arms.

Luis Valdes is the Florida State Director for Gun Owners of America, a “no-compromise” grassroots lobbying organization representing over two million members nationwide.

https://www.ammoland.com/2024/01/open-carry-bill-filed-on-the-first-day-of-floridas-legislative-session/

My back channels have informed me that HB 17, the bill that repeals mandatory waiting periods will probably have a committee hearing on January 19 at 12:30pm in the House's Criminal Justice & Public Safety Subcommittee.

It isn't on the Subcommittee's official calendar yet, but the Subcommittee is scheduled three hours on the House's official calendar.

So, be ready to show up to the Capitol to speak in support of HB 17.

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Committees/committeesdetail.aspx?CommitteeId=3241

Thanks for the updates!

I need you to take action and fight to make sure these bills pass the Florida House!

Florida’s legislative session started this week, and we have three solid pro-gun bills introduced in the House.

And I need you, Florida’s gun owners, to fight hard and be loud!

HB 17 by Rep. Dr. Joel Rudman repeals Florida’s mandatory waiting periods. If enacted, a gun buyer can take possession of their firearm as soon as the background check is completed. Yes, you read that right — no more waiting to take possession even after the background check is done.

Rep. Rudman’s bill fixes that and goes a step further too. If the FL Dept. of Law Enforcement (FDLE) takes too long and doesn’t complete the background check within three days, the dealer can release the firearm. No more waiting around and having your rights delayed.

HB 1223 by Rep. Bobby Payne restores gun rights for young adults. This bill restores the right to legally purchase a firearm for those who are under 21. Sadly, back in 2018, under the leadership of then Governor Rick Scott, Florida’s Republicans stripped young adults in the state from being able to legally exercise their Second Amendment rights. Again, HB 1223 fixes that and restores their rights.

HB 1619 by Rep. Michael Beltran makes Florida a true Constitutional Carry state. This bill repeals the Open Carry ban and goes a step further; it removes several gun-free zones. These include polling places and college/university campuses. If enacted, Florida would join the 45 states that have adopted Open Carry. Currently, only Florida, California, New York, Illinois, and Connecticut ban it.

In fact, Florida is the only Republican state in the nation to ban Open Carry, ban adults under 21 from being able to purchase firearms, and have mandatory waiting periods for firearm purchases. These three bills fix these issues and bring Florida to the same level playing field as other Republican states.

I need you to contact the House Speaker and Governor and tell them that you will accept nothing less than these bills passing.

It was because of your hard work — not only last year but in years past — that we got permitless carry passed for concealed carriers. And it will be because of your hard work this year that we will get these bills heard and passed.

Please take action and let House Speaker Paul Renner and Governor Ron DeSantis know where you stand on these bills!

In Liberty,

Luis Valdes
Florida State Director
Gun Owners of America

PS – Please share this alert and donate to GOA. Also, click here and read GOA’s latest article in the Orlando Sentinel, where GOA calls out the Republican leadership for the previous failures to advance pro-gun legislation. WUCF-TV/PBS said it best about GOA, we’re the only “no compromise” gun rights organization in Florida.

Regarding HB17, would there still be a waiting period for handguns since the handgun waiting period is part of the state’s constitution?

Thanks for all your hard work.

It would be like having a CCW.

What exactly do you want him to do?  Break kneecaps? Hold RINO's wife's hostage?  Come out publicly saying he supports it?  He has already done the last.

Now it is up to us to lobby our legislators and get our friends and family to do the same.

If I can't make it to the capitol, what can I do to help?

He could actually act like a Governor. Both Gov. Brian Kemp and Gov. Greg Abbott actually held press conferences and challenged their state's legislatures to pass real Constitutional Carry bills. They did it multiple times.

DeSantis has never done such regarding 2A issues. He's stood before the media, doing multiple press conferences on other issues and demanded the legislature pass legislation. Home insurance rates, his fight against Disney, his fight against "wokesness," his anti-riot bill, etc...

But never has he actually pushed for 2A issues. Only when cornered by the media or the public, does he say supportive things about gun rights. He only came out publicly on permitless carry and open carry because Matt Collins and myself got him on record at private events and gave it to the media. Prior to both cases,.he's been silent and he only became supportive after the media got it and questioned him on it.

During the State of the State address. He paid lip service to gun rights. Every prior State of the State address he's silent on gun rights.

Hell, he said gun free zones are bad and then got caught having his events be gun free zones in violation of state law. And tried to pin it on other folks, when email records showed it was campaign specifically wanting those events o be gun free, but wanted to shift he blame to someone else so the campaign doesn't look bad.

JPT is dead on with that assessment, dead on.   BUT, did you really expect other than that from and aspiring professional politician..........government, good folks, was is and remains the problem and JPT is right to hold DeSantis's feet to the fire.    If he wants support he's gotta give it !!

JPT is dead on with that assessment, dead on.   BUT, did you really expect other than that from and aspiring professional politician..........government, good folks, was is and remains the problem and JPT is right to hold DeSantis's feet to the fire.    If he wants support he's gotta give it !!

How can Florida's Republican House Speaker, Rep. Paul Renner, claim to be pro-gun, while stating that HB 1619 (Open Carry) is dead on arrival and he won't advance it?

He claims that since his fellow Republicans in the Senate are against it, he won't waste the House's time advancing the bill since he believes it won't pass the Senate.

Yet, as House Speaker last year, Rep. Renner had no problem allowing Rep. Bobby Payne's bill advance when he knew Senate President Kathleen Passidomo was against it. What was Rep. Payne's bill? It was the bill that would repeal Florida's under 21 purchase ban.

House Speaker Renner had no issue wasting the House's time last year with Rep. Payne's bill. But suddenly, he's conservative and worried about the House's precious time this year.

Sorry, that doesn't fly Mr. Speaker.

Be honest with Florida's gun owners. Let HB 1619 advance in the House! Let the Senate Republicans show their anti-gun colors. Stop covering for 'em. This is an election year, let there be recorded votes on where Republican lawmakers stand on Open Carry.

By smothering the bill, you're protecting their voting records and allowing Republican lawmakers who are anti-gun keep "clean" voting records so they can campaign that they're pro-gun.

When was the last time you saw a Democrat Speaker of any state house call a gun grabbing bill DOA?  It's so tiresome to have these alleged pro-gun Republicans have to dragged kicking and screaming to have the same gun laws as any other Republican controlled state.


Here's Speaker Renner's contact info, which needs to have the phone lines ringing off the hook to get things to happen:

https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Representatives/contactmember.aspx?MemberId=4619&SessionId=103

Capitol office:   (850) 717-5019
District office:   (386) 446-7644
Email:              [email protected]

He represents District 19 - St. Augustine and Palm Coast being the two big cites, in Flager county.  If you live in that district, your input would be highly valuable.  It's one thing for people in the rest of the state to holler at him - it's far better if his own voters do.

And to contact your own House Representative, use this web page:
https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/FindYourRepresentative

Contact them please by phone at both the Capitol and District numbers, and email them too.  Say you want them, if they're a Republican, to co-sponsor HB 1619. Open and campus carry were passed in my old home state of Texas in 2015, to dramatic prophesies of Wild West gun slinging, and shootouts in various history classes debating Andrew Jackson being denied the presidency in 1824.  None of that happened, any more than it did in the 80's with Florida first passed the concealed carry law.  

And GOA is a great organization.  I'm already a Life member, but I'll match up to 500 bucks, the donations or memberships costs of anyone who joins.

https://donate.gunowners.org/fl01/

He doesn't care. He's term limited and after November, he's done.

This is why term limits are dangerous.

You want to go after someone? Go after DeSantis. He promised he would support Open Carry. So far, he's silent.

This morning on the Bob Rose Show on 97.3-WSKY; I was discussing Florida's Republican House Speaker, Paul Renner killing the Open Carry bill (HB 1619), while he claims he's pro-gun.



https://www.audacy.com/podcast/bob-rose-show-8686d?action=AUTOPLAY_FULL&actionContentId=201-5aabd29f-8b30-450d-96e5-8dff80b7e3de&

DeSantis dropped out. I'm going to fucking hammer him on 2A issues in FL now.

Do it JBT! keep us informed on anything we can do to help you keep pressure on him.

hoping for a good outcome.  I have spoken to my Rep and Senator.

Please do!

https://www.gunowners.org/fl01182024/

We aren't pulling our punches. That's just the start too

DeSantis said this yesterday when he dropped out:

"We can't go back to the old Republican guard of yesteryear -- a repackaged form of warmed-over corporatism -- The days of putting Americans last, of kowtowing to large corporations, of caving to woke ideology, are over."

That is what's exactly happening and been happening in FL with gun rights. If he stays silent, you know where he stands.

Yet Florida is the only Republican state in the nation that strips those high school graduates of their #SecondAmendment rights.

Yes, Florida is the only Republican state in the nation that bans adults under 21 from exercising their #SecondAmendment rights.

You said this… https://t.co/gaFQHtkbKo

Luis Valdes  (@RealFLGunLobby) January 22, 2024

But Florida is the only Republican state in the nation that bans #OpenCarry, has mandatory waiting periods, bans adults under 21 from exercising their #SecondAmendment rights, and has a Republican supermajority legislature constantly kill pro-gun bills.

Right now, HB 1619 needs… https://t.co/BSPvjfaIX1

Luis Valdes  (@RealFLGunLobby) January 22, 2024

Made the news today in four separate stories.

Residents across the state have complained for years about errantly fired bullets from home shooting ranges striking them, their family members, belongings or pets. But they already have legal recourse, according to Luis Valdes, Florida State Director for Gun Owners of America.

Speaking to the panel Tuesday, Valdes pointed to Florida's "deadly missile" statute, which provides that any person who "wantonly or maliciously" shoots into a building, vehicle or aircraft is guilty of a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison.

"We already have laws on the books," he said. "Adding more to it and simply outlawing the ability for people who use their property in a safe and responsible manner is a violation of our rights."

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/655985-property-rights-bill-banning-stray-bullets-avoids-being-shot-down-at-first-senate-stop/

But Second Amendment supporters insisted that it was unfair to penalize young people from being able to purchase a gun when they're allowed to perform other duties that require maturity.

"Floridians under the age of 21 can be law enforcement officers at 19," said Luis Valdes with Gun Owners of America. "They can enlist in the military. They can even run for offices as lawmakers to make laws. The fact that the state has determined they don't have the mental capacity to own a firearm is ludicrous, when we entrust them with the very authority to carry a firearm and enforce that very law."

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/01/30/parkland-family-member-says-theres-no-good-reason-to-repeal-age-limit-to-purchase-a-firearm/

It should be noted, however, that there are some bills that would expand the rights of gun owners in Florida that have also stalled in the first part of the 2024 Florida legislative session.

One is a bill (HB 1619) by Hillsborough County Republican Rep. Mike Beltran that would allow people to openly carry firearms in Florida. The measure would also allow lawmakers to carry concealed guns to legislative meetings and in the state Capitol building. House and Senate GOP leaders have not shown any enthusiasm about scheduling the bill, but Second Amendment groups are pressing Gov. Ron DeSantis to back what is known simply as "open carry."

The state chapter of Gun Owners of America sent an email to its followers this week, calling on them to press DeSantis to endorse the proposal.

"Florida's gun owners are not fools and we don't become easily tamed with cheap table scraps thrown our way. We demand a full restoration of our rights," reads a section of the letter penned by Luis Valdes, the Florida state director of Gun Owners of America.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/01/26/families-of-gun-shooting-victims-are-hoping-for-some-preventive-measures-from-fl-legislature/

Gun rights activists, though, said the bill merely affirms the rights of young adults, who can join the military and become a police officer, to own long guns. "The fact that the state of Florida has determined that they don't have the mental capacity to own a firearm is ludicrous," said Luis Valdes, Florida state director of Gun Owners of America.

https://floridapolitics.com/archives/656067-bill-lowering-rifle-buying-age-to-18-clears-house-panel/

Now that I'm settled, I'd like to get out to committee meetings to testify.

Unfortunately I missed the Jan 19 meeting. What's coming up that needs comments/testimony?

Yes besides contacting the Governor, what steps should gun owners take to move pro-gun bills along?

Supposedly Constitutional Carry wasn’t going to happen in Texas in 21 due to a lack of Senate support.  6 months later it’s signed into law, due in large part to the efforts of individual gun owners who testified at the Capitol and called their elected officials.

Any news on this? I haven't read or seen much since this was filed.

https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/02/19/crunch-time-a-look-at-some-bills-struggling-to-stay-alive-as-fl-legislature-begins-to-wind-down/

Republicans in both chambers of the Legislature this year introduced proposals to repeal certain provisions of 2018’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. Those provisions came out of the Feb. 14, 2018 Parkland school shooting that killed 17 students and staff.

There’s HB 1223, which would lower the age to buy a long gun in Florida from 21 to 18. As was the case in the 2023 session, the House bill is moving, but it’s not going anywhere near Gov. Ron DeSantis, who would have to sign such a law. There is no Senate version.

Another GOP gun repeal measure also looks doubtful. The proposal (HB 17) would require the mandatory waiting period for all firearm purchases to expire after 3 days, regardless of whether a background check has been completed. This measure has support in the House, and DeSantis told CNN last month while on the presidential campaign trail that, “I think the background checks should be instant.” (The governor has suspended his presidential campaign.)

However, the Senate version has not been pursuing the measure. And Second Amendment advocates are not at all pleased by the developments.

“You have a Republican House Speaker state that he and his Republican colleagues don’t have an ‘appetite’ to debate and vote on open carry. You have a Republican Senate President state that repealing the under-21 purchase ban is a ‘non-starter’ Yet both have the nerve to campaign that they’re pro-gun,” says Luis Valdes, Florida state director of Gun Owners of America (GOA).

Valdes and other Second Amendment aficionados are also steamed at DeSantis for failing to push for an open carry law which he said he supported a year ago. That measure (HB 1619) was introduced at the beginning of the 2024 session by Hillsborough GOP Rep. Mike Beltran but was immediately dismissed by Republican leadership last month.

“GOA got him on record where he said he ‘absolutely’ supports open carry,” Valdes says. “Well, actions speak louder than words and the governor’s inaction is deafening.”

So what should we do to help move the bills along, besides "call DeSantis"?

Session only has 17 days left. Now, the Parkland bill was introduced and signed into law in 16 days. But that was with the entire Republican caucus working lockstep with Gov. Rick Scott.

Right now, you have Republican leadership saying the bill is DOA and Gov. DeSantis being absolutely silent about it. The House Speaker and Senate President are term limited. Wasting time calling them, pleading with then, etc is just that. A waste.

DeSantis promised he'd support Open Carry. He's done jack shit and he has something to lose. Sure, he's term limited too. But he doesn't leave office until January 5, 2027. That's a long time for him to rebuild his image for 2028. And he wants to do that. Right now, is the time to hammer him on 2A issues. Because if you let him slide on it, he won't do shit for the rest of his time in office.

Hammer him that if he doesn't keep his promises on the Second Amendment, he's done and no one will support him for 2028.

He only supported permitless concealed-only carry in 2023 because he needed a pro-gun feather for his campaign quiver.

Latest GOA Alert on what's happening legislatively in FL.

https://www.gunowners.org/fl2202024/

Sorry to say it but I am increasingly of the belief that your character call of the man as an opportunistic politician ain't too far off base.................and I REALLY hate to say that!    BUT, there's NOTHING better on the table and given what we have to pick from in Florida I'd say we really have a problem.

Welcome to FL.... where 2020s Republicans are 1980s Dixiecrats. This is nothing new and happens every election cycle. Of course he's opportunistic. He's a politician and so are the rest of 'em. The key for us to succeed is to make it an issue that will make him support it out of need to advance his political career.

https://thecapitolist.com/house-judiciary-committee-advances-bill-to-modify-firearm-waiting-period-rules/amp/



https://floridaphoenix.com/2024/02/21/measures-repealing-parts-of-parkland-2018-gun-safety-law-head-to-the-florida-house/

https://www.audacy.com/podcast/bob-rose-show-8686d/episodes/restoring-florida-gun-rights-one-step-at-a-time-a61ae

that's an awful lot of  goals crammed into one bill.  I hope it passes, but as was mentioned, as long as the GOP anti gunners that control the process shoot down these sorts of efforts,  I don't have much hope.

What legislative options remain at this point?

Where your not supposed to carry is where you need to.

Repealing Under 21 Ban passed House. Senate refuses it.
Repealing FDLE's abuses of the background check system passed House. Senate refuses it.
Open Carry refused by both House and Senate.
Governor DeSantis silent on entire issue.

Only "pro-gun" bill that will reach the Governor's desk is SB 1286. Which passed both the Senate and the House. Arrestees can now petition to get their guns returned to them after 30-days if the firearm wasn't seized as evidence and they aren't barred from possession of a firearm.

This is "good" in the sense that we (GOA) as an organization experienced a member being wrongfully arrested (FL PATRIOT ARRESTED FOR EXERCISING 1A RIGHT TO PROTECT 2A RIGHTS ) and he had to fight to get his gun back. But the reality is, out of the hundreds of thousands of arrests, very few are in that situation.

SB 1286 is stale crumbs being thrown at gun owners. And Governor DeSantis has broken his promise to gun owners. He said he'd back a bill if it was introduced. He's done jack shit.

Today on the Bob Rose Show, the host questioned Sen. Blaise Ingoglia about the failures in the legislature regarding the Second Amendment. The host used all my talking points from yesterday's interview.

https://www.audacy.com/podcast/bob-rose-show-8686d/episodes/positive-conservative-momentum-in-fl-legislature-with-sen-blaise-ingoglia-4ce9f?action=AUTOPLAY_FULL&actionContentId=201-2a5592aa-fbb5-44a2-a27b-1432fcc622d4

Sen. Ingoglia admits that Republicans are weak and leadership only wants to maintain the supermajority. So they kowtow to the weakest Republicans and keep them happy.

He also claimed that DeSantis works behind the scenes. Which further solidified my stance that DeSantis doesn't lobby for gun rights since nothing is happening on gun rights, but other bills are moving forward.

thanks for the updates