FL: Two bills would tighten laws on concealed weapons

The Sun-Sentinel (FL) ^ | 1/22/08 | Megan O'Matz

[bill1952]

While I have no problem with felons losing various civil rights forever, you do raise an interesting point, and one that has several different implications working on different levels.

There are simply too many laws, and too many lawyers.
At one time, there were more lawyers in California than there were in the rest of the world combined.
I have no idea what has happened to that figure in the last 30 years, but it is pertinent.

Someday, not too far of, they might just be able to make what you just wrote a felony.
An example of this would be to look at so called “hate crimes.”

Don’t think that you can be jailed for just using the N word? Think again.
Someday, they may define being anti homosexual as a crime in itself...

[bill1952]

I am in Florida, and the answer is no.
Just someone trying to exploit a real or perceived crack in the system to further a goal.

[untrained skeptic]

Our liberal government at the federal, state and local levels is making far too many things felonies.

The usual result is that criminals plead down to lesser charges. It reduces the court load because there is more risk involved for criminals.

However, for the innocent, it makes defending your innocence before a court very risky.

[jwparkerjr]

I am in Florida and I pay close attention to the news on a daily basis. I am not aware of any person in Florida who has a valid concealed weapons permit being accused, let alone, convicted of using a weapon in a crime.

I remember only too well the days before the law was passed and signed that every newspaper carried editorials warning of the blood bath that would occur as citizens with the state’s approval of carrying a concealed weapon would escalate every traffic disagreement into a scene from the wild west. Well, it never happened.

I am familiar with a situation where someone who was convicted of a felony 45 plus years ago has been denied a permit despite a full and complete pardon granted several years after the offense. Not only can he not get the weapons permit, he also can’t work in any number of jobs. The legislature simply refused to recognize the governor’s unlimited constitutional authority to grant a full pardon and restore all of the defendant’s rights and wrote into a number of laws the stipulation that a full pardon did not restore the defendant’s right to bear arms. Several lawyers have been very willing to help pursue the matter, but at prices ranging up to $10,000. All agree the legislature has violated the separation of powers concept, that the constitution grants that power of the pardon to the executive branch, the governor and a majority of the State Cabinet.

[ASA Vet]

Which amendment provides a lifetime forfeiture of a citizens rights?

[Axenolith]

People who shoot relatives in the head while cleaning weapons are not good poster children for RKBA...

[bill1952]

10 and 13. Both cited by SCOTUS in support of withholding various civil rights from felons by the various States.

Interestingly, article 5 has also been cited and upheld.

“nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law;”

Due process having been attained, then article 10 must hold sway.
I will also add - don’t let your head explode - that you have no Constitutional right to vote for the president at all.
But you do have the right to vote for your State Senator.

[varon]

Two bills have been offered in the state Legislature that would make it harder for people in Florida to get or keep licenses to carry guns.

The first bill will probably increase the age before someone can apply to 85.

The second bill will require a 15 year waiting period for background check ;-)

[stevio]

Recording a movie can also be a felony.

[DuncanWaring]

Better not do that then ... Brilliant will have you imprisoned for life.

[VeniVidiVici]

People who shoot relatives in the head while cleaning weapons are not good poster children for RKBA...

LOL! I agree. However, they should not be held up as an example as to why CCW is bad when they have done nothing to keep them from getting a CCW.

[B4Ranch]

I don’t carry a gun…

… to kill people. I carry a gun to keep from being killed.

I don’t carry a gun to scare people. I carry a gun
because sometimes this world can be a scary place.

I don’t carry a gun because I’m paranoid. I carry a gun
because there are real threats in the world.

I don’t carry a gun because I’m evil. I carry a gun
because I have lived long enough to see the evil in the world.

I don’t carry a gun because I hate the government. I carry a gun
because I understand the limitations of government.

I don’t carry a gun because I’m angry. I carry a gun so that I don’t have to
spend the rest of my life hating myself for failing to be prepared.

I don’t carry a gun because I want to shoot someone. I carry a gun because I want to
die at a ripe old age in my bed, and not on a sidewalk somewhere tomorrow afternoon.

I don’t carry a gun because I’m a cowboy. I carry a gun
because, when I die and go to heaven, I want to be a cowboy.

I don’t carry a gun to make me feel like a man. I carry a gun
because men know how to take care of themselves and the ones they love.

I don’t carry a gun because I feel inadequate. I carry a gun
because unarmed and facing three armed thugs, I am inadequate.

I don’t carry a gun because I love it. I carry a gun
because I love life and the people who make it meaningful to me.

“Police Protection” is an oxymoron. Free citizens must protect themselves.

Police do not protect you from crime, they usually just investigate
the crime after it happens and then call someone in to clean up the mess.