A spokesman for the Second Amendment Foundation explains why this move feels like a “betrayal” to many.
Though Florida’s gun laws are somewhat relaxed compared to other states, open carry still isn’t legal. At least, not yet. But newly elected Florida Senate President Ben Albritton doesn’t see any reason to grant it. At least, not yet.
During this week’s organization session, Albritton made it clear that he is still opposed to open carry, despite 39 other states allowing it.
He noted, “I trust my law enforcement officials. They oppose it…and I stand with them today in opposition.”
Several gun rights advocates spoke out against this decision, since many believe it goes against Gov. Ron DeSantis’ feelings towards open carry. Now it’s just a matter of seeing if it will be challenged at all, or if it will still be on the board for any sort of passage in 2025. At this rate, it doesn’t look likely.
A representative for the Second Amendment Foundation – a group that firmly believes in everyone’s right to bear arms – joins us now to discuss this matter further.
Q&A:
- What are your thoughts on Albritton seemingly changing course on what Gov. DeSantis believes when it comes to “open carry”?
- Why is Albritton’s move so disappointing? Because of gun advocates supporting him so strongly in the past?
- Would you say the move is a “betrayal” to the pro-gun community?
- So what happens now? Could “open carry” still somehow end up on the board for approval in 2025? Especially if enough advocates – and possibly DeSantis himself – speaking in favor of it?
- Where can we learn more about the Second Amendment Foundation?
a. You can visit our official website at http://www.saf.org.
Second Amendment Foundation spokespersons available to be your guest:
ABOUT CHRIS CHENG (In Pacific Time)
Chris Cheng serves on the advisory council to the Second Amendment Foundation’s Board of Trustees. He is the History Channel’s Top Shot Season 4 Champion and author of the book “Shoot to Win.” Cheng is an Asian D&I advocate in the gun community; a former Google employee who went from self-taught amateur to pro shooter.
ABOUT CAM EDWARDS (In Eastern Time)
Cam Edwards is the editor at Bearing Arms-dot-com and hosts the popular podcast Cam & Company that focuses on Second Amendment news and information. Cam is originally from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and has worked in radio, television, and online media for over two decades. He currently lives on a small farm with his family near Farmville, Virginia, and is a member of the board of Citizens Committee to Keep and Bear Arms.
ABOUT MARK WALTERS (in Eastern Time):
Mark Walters is a member of the board of directors for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. As a nationally syndicated host of two talk radio programs, Armed American Radio and Armed American Radio’s Daily Defense, Mark is heard on hundreds of stations weekly across the country. Mark is the co-founder of Armed American News and the recipient of the 2015 “Gun Rights Defender of the Year award.” In addition, Mark Walters is co-author of three books, including Lessons from Armed America, Lessons from Unarmed America, and Grilling While Armed.
ABOUT LEE WILLIAMS (In Eastern Time)
Lee Williams is also known as The Gun Writer and has been writing about the Second Amendment, firearms, the firearms industry, and the gun culture for more than ten years. He is the Chief Editor of the Second Amendment Foundation’s Investigative Reporting Project and is a frequent contributor to Ammoland News and Armed American Radio. In addition, Lee serves as a board member of Florida Carry, Inc. He was also an editor for a daily newspaper in Florida. Before becoming a newspaper editor, Lee was an investigative reporter in three states and a U.S. Territory. Before becoming a journalist, he worked as a police officer. Before becoming a cop, Lee served in the Army. Lee has earned more than a dozen national journalism awards as a reporter and three medals of valor as a police officer.
ABOUT DAVE WORKMAN (In Pacific Time):
Dave Workman is an award-winning career journalist and senior editor of TheGunMag.com. He writes for Liberty Park Press, Conservative Firing Line, and is communications director for the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms. He has authored Op-Ed pieces in several major newspapers, including the Chicago Tribune, Seattle Times, and Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and co-authored seven books with Second Amendment Foundation Alan Gottlieb. Workman’s beat is firearms, from politics to the outdoors. He is widely considered an authority on firearms, concealed carry, and gun politics.
The Second Amendment Foundation (www.saf.org) is the nation’s oldest and largest tax-exempt education, research, publishing, and legal action group focusing on the Constitutional right and heritage to privately own and possess firearms. Founded in 1974, The Foundation has grown to more than 700,000 members and supporters and conducts many programs designed to better inform the public about the consequences of gun control.
CONTACT: Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983 or by email Jerry McGlothlin at bookings@specialguests.com.
To learn more about booking or becoming a guest, click here (link: https://specialguests.com/book-your-interview/)
