By The News Service of Florida
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried is backing a measure that would require her agency to retain fingerprints of applicants seeking concealed-weapon licenses.
Having a log of the fingerprints would allow her agency’s Concealed Weapon Licensing Program to “immediately access criminal history information on applicants who have committed crimes in other states,” Fried said in a press release Wednesday.
Under current law, “a dangerous loophole exists which could allow individuals who have committed felonies in other states to slip through the cracks,” Fried said in the statement. “Fingerprint retention will help solve this problem and keep guns away from people who shouldn’t have them.”
The proposal (HB 809), filed by Democratic state Rep. Javier Fernandez of Miami, would shorten the concealed-weapon license renewal period from seven to five years, the maximum length for which the federal government will allow fingerprint retention, according to the release.
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And the bill, filed for consideration during the legislative session which begins Jan. 14, also would require people who want to renew concealed weapon licenses to submit proof of having completed firearms training or a safety course. The training would have to take place 6 months immediately before the expiration date of the license, and must be conducted by a state, county or municipal law enforcement agency or a nationally recognized organization “that promotes gun safety.”
Current law requires training prior to the issuance of a concealed weapons permit but not before a license is renewed. The proposal would also reduce the renewal fee for concealed-weapon licenses from $45 to $40.
“These program enhancements will allow us to build on our accountability and public safety initiatives, while ensuring the program functions efficiently,” Fried, whose office oversees the state’s concealed-weapon program, said in the release.
Fried Backs Concealed Weapon Enhancements added by The News Service of Florida on
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Here’s an idea. Why don’t Nikki and the Democrats first collect the fingerprints of all the illegal aliens and criminals walking our streets with guns in their possession. Then we can “start a conversation” (a term I know you all love) about what we Law Abiding gun owners and CWP folks should do about our situation.
Thanks, and let me know how that first part is coming along…
More gun laws/rules that will only be effective on law abiding citizens?
Uhhhh…Nikki NO.
No, No, and No! An obvious wolf in sheep clothing. No need to retain the fingerprints after FBI background check. Shorten from 7 to 5 years will only increase the cost along with increased cost of additional training class. Law abiding citizens with concealed carry permits are not the problem, criminals are the problem and they will not follow the law anyway.
No, to shortening the time between renewals. Easy to tell this is a democrat proposal…will cost more $$$ and further restricts folks who already comply with the CWL law.
Since when are infringements considered “enhancements”?
In an election year? Good luck with that. Tthe bottom line remains the over 2 million Concealed Weapon Permit holders in the State of Florida have a lower arrest/conviction rate than active duty law enforcement. The current program is working well apparently.
Every out of state permit holder is required by law to submit fingerprints every time they renew their license. If they have committed a felony, they won’t be able to renew.
If a CW permit holder commits a felony, they cant possess a gun. They also can’t buy a firearm. They will likewise be ineligible to renew their CW permit.
Could the Secretary tell me how many CWP carrier’s have committed crimes involving firearms? I’m curious how this enhances public safety.
When you apply for a CWFL, you submit your fingerprints and the state runs a background check in the FBIs database. There is no reason to store fingerprints. You say you’ll decrease the “fee” for renewal by $5, but there is no mention of how much it’ll cost to have “a state, county or municipal law enforcement agency or a nationally recognized organization “that promotes gun safety.” ”
You’re doing nothing but storing more information on law abiding gun owners, and increasing the costs to follow the law and have a permit.
This sounds good