It used to be handled by the Dept. of Revenue, an appointed position. While under them when it came time for renewal you had to get fingerprinted all over again, I believe renewal was every four years and the renewal fee was high.
With the lobbying of the NRA it got transferred to Agriculture Commission, which handles other things like consumer affairs, checking accuracy of gas pumps, scales weights and measures etc.
The Ag Commissioner is elected so answers directly to voters. Under the Ag Commission fingerprinting for renewals was eliminated fees dropped considerably and the permits were now valid for 7 years.
Putting it in the hands of the Ag Commissioner was a good thing. The Dems cheated their way into this with the Broward County bogus votes since the Repub was leading all night until Broward started its games.
I suspect some RINO back room deals were made not to challenge this so Rick Scott could squeak by to a Senate victory. Meanwhile the Repub controlled legislature can grow a spine and move it to another Repub controlled dept.
October 2017 I purchased a Glock 30 and handed over my licenses - drivers & CWL. My CWL had expired 5 days prior....this was on a Saturday.
Needless to say I had to come back after the standard 3 day waiting period to pick said handgun up.
In the meantime I made an appointment Monday morning for 11 am to have the CWL renewed. I walked in 10 minutes early and was out the door by 11 am with the new CWL good for another 7 years.
To the new Agriculture Commissioner - we'll be watching you if the new governor isn't. Tread lightly or not at all.
Hope so.
Strange story.