Lawmakers move
forward with measures that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on the grounds of churches and other religious institutions.
TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House and Senate have started moving forward with measures that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to carry guns on the grounds of churches and other religious institutions that include schools. But a Senate bill (SB 1048) approved Thursday by the Judiciary Committee would prohibit firearm possession during hours when schools or day-care centers are operating.
Also, two South Florida Republicans, who’ve teamed with Democrats to block other pro-gun bills in recent years, sought assurances from bill sponsor Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, that he won’t continue to advance it if the school-hour requirement is altered. The requirement was added as an amendment to the bill Thursday.
Baxley, who along with other supporters says churchgoers need to be able to defend themselves from violence, indicated he will try to avoid changes in the bill.
“We’re looking at function, rather than what is the property, is it a school, is it a church,” he said after the meeting. “In order to protect all these congregants that meet in these communities of faith and their property rights, I intend to try my very best to try to abide by that commitment that allowed some of these folks to vote with me today.”
A similar House bill (HB 1419) was backed 7-3 in a party-line vote Wednesday by the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee.
Florida law allows religious facilities to be open to people who have concealed-weapons licenses and are armed. But state law bars people carrying guns at schools.
Kate Kile, the Tallahassee leader of the gun-violence prevention group Moms Demand Action For Gun Sense in America, said the group will not object as long as the measure maintains that guns are restricted while students are on campus during school hours or for extracurricular events.
Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, and Sen. Rene Garcia, R-Hialeah, warned Baxley that the bill could lose votes if it fails to keep the prohibition on guns during school hours.