Tensions are escalating among gun rights proponents following Florida Senate President Ben Albritton’s firm stance against open carry legislation.
Florida gun rights advocates are expressing a profound sense of frustration and neglect after the newly appointed Senate President, Ben Albritton, made it clear that he opposes any open carry and campus carry laws proposed for 2025. On Tuesday, during the organization session, Albritton highlighted his opposition to altering Florida’s current laws to allow for the open carry of firearms, a practice permitted in at least 39 other states according to Everytown USA, a gun research organization. While Florida permits the concealed carrying of firearms, it does not extend to open carry.
Albritton, a long-standing supporter of law enforcement, expressed his reservations to reporters, stating, “I trust my law enforcement officials. They oppose it … and I stand with them today in opposition.” This declaration has angered gun rights advocates who have long sought to repeal Florida’s ban on openly displaying firearms in public and to abolish “gun-free” zones on college and university campuses. Albritton’s stance appears to diverge from that of Governor Ron DeSantis, who previously indicated support for open carry. Notably, DeSantis hinted on Central Florida radio host Bob Rose’s program that the legislative ban might be lifted in 2025, advising listeners to “stay tuned.”
The reaction from gun rights groups has been one of deep disappointment, particularly given their longstanding efforts—spanning at least a decade—to achieve what they call “constitutional carry” through the Florida Legislature. The recent comments from Albritton and the timing of DeSantis’ radio appearance, coming just two weeks after the GOP gained supermajorities in the House and Senate, have intensified these sentiments.
Luis Valdes, Florida Director of the Gun Owners of America (GOA), articulated the sense of betrayal felt by the community: “We feel very betrayed but we’re not going to drop this issue,” he affirmed. Valdes criticized Albritton’s stance, noting, “For … Albritton to announce that open carry is dead on arrival, (that) smacked Florida gun owners in the face after those gun owners gave him the very office he holds when they installed a Republican supermajority that put him in office.”
In response to these developments, GOA has filed a lawsuit in federal court to challenge the ban, and Valdes mentioned ongoing efforts to rally House and Senate members to introduce a repeal of the ban in 2025. He also indicated that GOA is collaborating with lawmakers to draft open carry legislation for the upcoming legislative session in March. “We will not stop pressing the issue,” Valdes emphasized. “We will get open carry legalized, period.”
The debate over open carry in Florida continues to intensify as Senate President Albritton’s opposition represents a significant obstacle for advocates. Despite this setback, groups like GOA remain steadfast in their mission, preparing to engage further with legislative processes.
Source: News-journalonline
