Both chambers of Florida Legislature arming different proposals in gun control debate

Like any clash of longtime rivals, the politics of gun control always draws crowds to committee rooms at the state Capitol in Tallahassee.  

Florida lawmakers had filed more than 30 gun-related bills to consider during this year’s legislative session, but as they prepare for week No. 4 of their nine-week gathering, just four bills have been heard in committee.

The measures in play reflect a deep divide between the House and Senate — and within the ruling Republican Party in how to ensure public safety.

While the House remains on the hunt for opportunities to repeal regulations on who can carry guns where, the Senate aims to tighten current laws to restrict access.  

House bills, which sailed through their first committees, would allow concealed-weapon permit holders to carry guns into places of worship that also have schools, and into meetings of city councils, county commissions and school boards.

“This is an amazing bill,” said Rep. Anthony Sabatini, R-Howey-in-the-Hills, about what's been called the 'guns-in-churches' proposal (HB 1437). “It’s the most American bill filed this session.”

The Legislature has long been an incubator of ideas advanced by the National Rifle Association. It has approved trend-setting proposals for other states, such as the Stand-Your-Ground law and a shall-issue mandate for concealed weapons permits.

But, the pro-gun rights forces were put on the defensive two years ago after the Parkland high school massacre. The Legislature quickly passed measures to ban bump stocks and keep guns out of the hands of those under 21 and people thought to be at risk from mental illness.

The Second Amendment advocates regained their stride this session. They now have groups like Moms Demand Action and the Florida PTA on defense as the two sides wrestle over guns on school campuses and universal background checks for all firearm purchases.   

When a Senate proposal to close the so-called “gun show loophole” received a unanimous committee vote, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Speaker Jose Oliva quickly expressed skepticism that such a loophole even existed.

“The fact of the matter is that anyone who is selling firearms is going to have to do background checks, unless it’s just a private sale," DeSantis has said. "But you’re not going to have a table at a gun show on a private sale."

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Oliva chimed in, warning lawmakers to be careful when they “look to trample” on constitutional rights.

The measure is a priority of Senate President Bill Galvano, R-Bradenton, and is being advanced by former Senate President Tom Lee, R-Thonotosassa. Angie Gallo of the 300,000-member Florida PTA called it a bold step but concedes it will be a “heavy lift” to get it through the Legislature.

“We’re just super excited that (they're) willing and courageous enough to take this on,” Gallo said.

What follows are the gun bills that have been considered thus far in committee and how far they are from the House and Senate floors.

Closing the 'gun show loophole' (SB 7028) 

The proposal also strengthens the safe-storage law to keep guns away from minors, and the red flag law that notifies authorities when someone may present a risk to themselves and others.

Lee, the bill's sponsor, acknowledged the difficulties in trying to balance public safety with a constitutional right to firearms: “We’re trying to thread the needle here.”

The NRA’s top lobbyist in Florida, however, called the bill the worst universal background check she had ever seen.

“If political eyewash is your cup of tea, this bill has a whole pot of it," Marion Hammer said. "This bill is nothing less than gun control on steroids.”

The bill is two committees away from the Senate floor, but there is no House companion.

The verbal threat prohibition (SB 728)

The proposal makes it a third-degree felony to threaten the use of a firearm to do bodily harm. 

The measure passed the Infrastructure and Security Committee on a unanimous vote.

It has two more committee stops before it is introduced on the Senate floor.

The House companion gets its first committee hearing on Monday, Feb. 3.

Ensuring the safety of religious institutions (HB 1437)

The bill allows people to carry concealed weapons at religious institutions that share properties with schools. Supporters count 13 shootings in churches and synagogues and argue no one should contest the proposal.

“We are doing the absolutely right thing,” said Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Naples, in debate.

Opponents, including Gallo, argue they want to keep guns away from places where there are children: “The Florida PTA firmly believes the only people who should be armed on a school campus are trained school resource officers,” she said.

The bill cleared the Criminal Justice Subcommittee on a 12-2 vote. It waits to be scheduled for an Education Committee hearing.

There is no Senate companion.

Prohibited places for weapons, firearms (HB 183)

The measure repeals the ban on local elected officials carrying concealed weapons to their public meetings.

House members say they support the proposal because it contains an explicit recognition that gun free zones need to be eliminated.

“When I’m in my office working at 8 o’clock at night, working by myself, I’m a sitting duck,” said Rep. Jamie Grant, R-Tampa. “Our county commissioners, our school board members, are sitting ducks at all times.”

But supporters of gun free zones argue that people who carry guns add more danger. 

“We have the research to prove it,” said Gallo about criticisms from Grant, Sabatini and other members of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee when they approved the bill with an 11-3 vote.

“Every argument they make we can come up with a counter,” Gallo said.

The bill will be heard in the Local, Federal & Veterans Affair Committee on Monday, Feb. 3. It has one other committee to clear before it can go to the House floor.

The Senate companion has yet to have a hearing.

Writer James Call can be contacted at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow on Twitter @CallTallahassee.

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