Constitutional Carry Gaining Steam

On July 1, residents with a clean criminal history of legal age in Florida will be able to carry concealed without a permit. When the law goes into effect, the state will be the 26th that recognizes the right.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the measure on April 3. “You don’t need a permission slip from the government to be able to exercise your constitutional rights,” he told reporters the day the measure was approved by the state senate and headed to his desk for signature.

“This is a momentous step in the Constitutional Carry movement as now the majority of American states recognize the Constitution protects the right for law-abiding Americans to defend themselves outside their homes without fees or permits,” said Randy Kozuch, interim executive director of NRA-ILA. “The carry movement began decades ago, and the NRA has been working to get this legislation passed throughout America. Therefore, today is indeed a day to celebrate.”

Georgia joined the constitutional carry roll last year on April 12, making it No. 25 on the list. Georgia Gov. Brian P. Kemp stated at the signing that the measure, “… makes sure that law abiding Georgians—including our daughters and your family, too—can protect themselves without having to ask permission from state government … . The Constitution of the United States gives us that right—not the government.”

South Carolina’s legislature is currently debating two Constitutional Carry measures. The trend could slow when it meets the remaining liberal strongholds along the Pacific and Atlantic coasts, where legislators continue to turn a deaf ear to constituents enduring rising crime rates.

Despite the looming opposition, there’s no shortage of other measures under consideration that would ensure or enhance a law-abiding citizen’s right to self-defense. Kansas is already a member of the Constitutional Carry roles, but on April 5 its legislature approved a measure to reduce the cost of a concealed carry permit. Residents who hold one can lawfully carry when traveling to states with reciprocity agreements. It is currently on the governor’s desk awaiting signature.

North Carolina residents, as of late last month, are no longer required to procure a permit from their county’s sheriff to purchase a handgun. A number of pro-gun measures are also working their way through Oklahoma’s legislature.

That states that recognize Constitutional Carry include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Wyoming and soon Florida.