The Gun Owners of America spokesman explains why a lawsuit has been filed, challenging the ban.
For the most part, Florida has been great when it comes to honoring the rights of private gun owners. However, for some inexplicable reason, a ban is still in place that prevents people from openly carrying firearms.
With that, the Gun Owners of America, alongside the Gun Owners Federation and South Florida gun owner Richard Hughes, have filed a federal lawsuit that challenges the ban.
“Florida inexplicably continues to prohibit the peaceable carrying of firearms in an open and unconcealed manner,” the lawsuit notes. “The blatant infringement of the Second Amendment right to ‘bear arms’ runs counter to this nation’s historical tradition and would have criminalized the very colonists who openly carried their muskets and mustered on the greens at Lexington and Concord to fight for their independence.”
While some have been against the practice of Concealed Carry (or Constitutional Carry, as some deem it), many states allow it – and some have been effective when it comes to stopping “active shooter” events from taking place.
Stephen Willeford, who serves as the spokesman for the Gun Owners of America, joins us now to discuss the lawsuit.
Q&A:
- Florida seems to be one of the more easygoing states when it comes to gun laws. But why do you think it continues to ban Constitutional Carry (or Concealed Carry)?
- Many have argued that Constitutional Carry allows for “more guns on the street.” But doesn’t it serve as a protective measure, especially against “active shooter” events?
- Why would you say this lawsuit needed to be filed? Should the argument be heard to allow Constitutional-Carry within the state?
- Do you think more states in the future will allow for Constitutional-Carry? Or will many continue to stand by their ongoing gun laws?
- You have an event coming up next month called G.O.A.L.S., or the Gun Owners Advocacy and Leadership Summit. Tell us more about it.
- You can visit the official website at https://goals.gunowners.org/.
- You recently wrote a book called A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy, revolving around your 2017 “hero with a gun” situation. Tell us more about how this came together, and why it’s such an important read right now.
- Where can people find your book?
- Where can we learn more about you, as well as Gun Owners of America?
- You can learn more at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com. You can also read more about the Gun Owners of America at https://www.gunowners.org/.
About Stephen Willeford…
Stephen represents Gun Owners of America and is known around the country as the “good guy with the gun” for helping stop the largest Texas mass shooting in the history of the state in 2017. He is available to speak about all gun rights issues, as well as the importance of Gun Owners of America. You can read more about him at http://www.thebarefootdefender.com.
CONTACT: Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983 or by email Jerry McGlothlin at jerry@specialguests.com.
