Florida Report on 3 Pro-Gun Bills that were heard in Committee 10/20/15

THE FIRST BILL: SB-344, Burden of Proof  by Sen. Rob Bradley was heard in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on 10/20/2015 and PASSED  by a vote of 4-1.

Voting FOR the bill were Chairman Greg Evers and Senators Rob Bradley, Jeff Brandes and Jeff Clemens.  Voting AGAINST was Senator Audrey Gibson.

SB-344 Burden of Proof restores the Stand Your Ground law to the original intent of the Legislature by putting the burden of proof BACK ON THE STATE where it belongs. 
     
Through court action, prosecutors and courts have reversed the self-defense law that gives immunity from arrest, detaining in custody, charging and prosecuting until and unless an investigation reveals there is probable cause to believe the act was not lawful self-defense.  They created a special "Stand Your Ground" that forces the victim to prove innocence rather than the state prove guilt.  This bill stops that.

THE SECOND BILL: SB-300 Open Carry by Sen. Don Gaetz was heard in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee on 10/20/2015 and PASSED  by a vote of 3-2.

Voting FOR the bill were Chairman Greg Evers and Senators Rob Bradley, and Jeff Brandes.  Voting AGAINST were Senators Audrey Gibson and Jeff Clemens.

SB-300 Open Carry is a bill to allow persons with a Concealed Weapons and Firearms License to also carry openly.  This will stop abuse of license holders and keep them from being charged with crime if  their firearm accidentally and unintentionally becomes exposed to the ordinary sight of another person. 

THE THIRD BILL: SB-68 Campus Carry by Senator Greg Evers was heard in the Senate Higher Education Committee on 10/20/2015 and PASSED by a vote of 5-3.

Voting FOR the bill were:Chairwoman Kelli Stargel and Senators Lizabeth Benacquisto, John Legg, Joe Negron and David Simmons.  Voting AGAINST the bill were Oscar Braynon, Arthenia Joyner and Maria Sachs.

SB-68 Campus Carry by CW License Holders is a bill to allow adults 21 years of age or older who have a valid Florida Concealed Weapons or Firearm License to have their rights restored so they will be able to carry their concealed firearms on college or university campuses for protection.

It was a great day for the Constitution and Freedom. Your help in emailing these committee members was very important. Thank you for responding to these alerts. 

To watch videos of those Committee hearings, use the following links:
     
Senate Criminal Justice Committee - Bills SB-334 and SB-300:
http://thefloridachannel.org/videos/102015-senate-criminal-justice-committee/

Senate Higher Education Committee - SB-68
http://thefloridachannel.org/videos/102015-senate-higher-education-committee/