Summary:
Senate bill 700 is scheduled for hearing by the Senate Agriculture Committee on March 11 at 4 pm. Republican Senator Keith L. Truenow (FL-13) is the bill sponsor. For the most part, the bill is harmless. However, sections 74 and 75 of the bill are deadly to your rights.
Florida Carry is the only organization representing members in 790.33 cases in Florida. The failure to include Florida Carry in the discussion prior to this bill being filed can only be explained as FDACS and Commissioner Wilton Simpson not being honest with the sponsors about the language, why they were asking for it, and hiding from the bill sponsors our interest as a stakeholder.
Sec. 790.33 in 2011 was specifically amended to address agency misconduct when previously it only applied to local governments. It was written to hold FDACS among others, accountable when they do not follow their governing statutes. Sec. 790.06 was fine for over 30 years with no need for the adjustments FDACS is now claiming are necessary. The only reason they are claiming a need for these adjustments now is because they got caught breaking the law.
Florida Carry has filed multiple cases against FDACS, and now that the First District Court of Appeal is paying attention, Simpson and FDACS are trying to change the law and neuter preemption completely. This is the same tactic former Secretary Nikki Fried, an avowed hater of the right to keep and bear arms, tried. Fortunately, we were able to prevent that tragedy. Now, it rears its ugly head once again. Florida Carry's general counsel, Eric Friday, has analyzed the language of Sections 74 and 75 and agrees, this cannot be allowed.
Immediate Action Needed:
SB 700 will be heard by the Agriculture Committee on Tuesday, March 11 at 4 pm. It is absolutely critical that you contact the bill sponsor and committee members NOW to tell them to either kill the bill, or strike sections 74 and 75 by amendment. As always, please write clearly, concisely, and politely. In order to make this easier, please use the following email helper:
Copy and paste into the SUBJ field:
SB 700 - Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
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Suggested body of email:
Dear Senator:
Please oppose SB 700 as filed. Sections 74 and 75 of the bill destroy provisions that protect our right to keep and bear arms. Secretary Simpson and FDACS are trying to change the law and neuter preemption completely. This cannot be tolerated. It is absolutely imperative to oppose SB 700 as filed.
Respectfully yours,
(insert your name)
The board of directors of Florida Carry appreciates your immediate action.
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