Florida’s violent crime rate decreases following the implementation of a gun freedom law despite media criticism
Florida’s Constitutional Carry Law: Debunking the Fearmongering
When Florida became the 26th state to adopt constitutional carry, corporate media and Democrats lost their minds.
None of the requirements for how citizens obtained guns in the Sunshine State changed when Florida House Bill 543 became law July 1, 2023. That didn’t stop the anti-gun press, which were not welcome at the signing, from claiming that permitless concealed carry would exacerbate shootings.
“Following mass shootings, DeSantis signs permitless carry bill,” one NBC News headline complained. In the article, the producer of “The Rachel Maddow Show” sneered at Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for trading what he dubbed “modest gun safeguards” for an “extreme” and “controversial” law.
Forbes also amplified rhetoric from gun control groups including Giffords claiming the pro-Second Amendment law is “dangerous” and “will drive gun violence up and further jeopardize the safety of our families and communities.”
Even President Joe Biden’s White House joined the dogpile on DeSantis and Florida Republicans for daring to reinforce their constituents’ constitutional rights.
“It is shameful that so soon after another tragic school shooting, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed into law a permitless concealed carry bill behind closed doors, which eliminates the need to get a license to carry a concealed weapon,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre wrote. “This is the opposite of commonsense gun safety. The people of Florida — who have paid a steep price for state and Congressional inaction on guns from Parkland to Pulse Nightclub to Pine Hills — deserve better.”
Now, more than six months after the law’s adoption, evidence contradicts Democrats’ fearmongering that allowing law-abiding citizens to carry a loaded gun for self-defense would result in more “senseless tragedies.”
Since the legalization of constitutional carry in July 2023, Florida’s biggest cities saw a significant decrease in violent crimes, including shootings. In Jacksonville, murders and homicides dropped 6 percent in 2023 from the previous year.
The real record-breaking reduction in homicides was recorded in Miami. In 2022, the municipality recorded 49 homicides. By 2023, that number was down to 31, the fewest number of killings ever recorded in the Magic City. Miami also reported a 34 percent drop, from 151 to 100, in non-fatal shootings and 124 fewer “non-contact” shootings than in 2022. The change mirrors a national trend in less violent crime in 2023.
Florida’s constitutional carry law may not be the sole reason for those numbers, but this is the exact opposite of what Democrats claimed would happen after the law passed. Indeed, it’s fair to suspect respecting citizens’ constitutional right to self-defense played a role in the crime decline. Good guys with guns can deter, prevent, and even stop crime. The legal use of firearms helps thwart an estimated 2.5 million crimes a year.
Studies show that constitutional carry laws like the one in Florida don’t cause legal gun owners to commit crimes like mass shootings. Instead, permitless carry emphasizes that the growing number of legal gun owners in the United States have the Second Amendment right to defend themselves and others if the need arises.
About the Author
Jordan Boyd is a staff writer at The Federalist and co-producer of The Federalist Radio Hour. Her work has also been featured in The Daily Wire, Fox News, and RealClearPolitics. Jordan graduated from Baylor University where she majored in political science and minored in journalism. Follow her on Twitter @jordanboydtx.
Have there been any significant changes in the rates of accidental shootings or cases of law-abiding citizens misusing firearms since the implementation of constitutional carry in Florida?
Homicides in the city since 1950. This decrease in violent crimes goes against the narrative pushed by opponents of the constitutional carry law.
Furthermore, the law did not lead to an increase in accidental shootings or instances of law-abiding citizens misusing their firearms. Florida already had a robust background check system in place when purchasing firearms, and this did not change with the implementation of constitutional carry. Individuals who were previously prohibited from owning firearms still cannot legally possess them.
The argument that the law would make it easier for criminals to obtain firearms is also debunked by the facts. Criminals who wish to obtain firearms do not typically go through legal channels to do so. They often acquire firearms through illegal means, such as theft or the black market. The constitutional carry law does not change the strict penalties in place for illegal possession or use of firearms.
Opponents of the law also claimed that it would make law enforcement officers’ jobs more dangerous. However, there has been no evidence to support this claim. Law enforcement agencies were consulted during the drafting of the law, and proper training guidelines were put in place to ensure that officers can differentiate between law-abiding citizens and potential threats. In fact, many law enforcement officers have expressed support for constitutional carry, as it aligns with the Second Amendment rights of citizens.
It is important to note that constitutional carry does not mean that individuals can carry firearms wherever and whenever they please without any restrictions. The law still prohibits carrying firearms in certain locations, such as schools, government buildings, and private property where firearms are not allowed. Additionally, the law does not remove the responsibility of gun owners to handle their firearms safely and responsibly.
In conclusion, the fearmongering surrounding Florida’s constitutional carry law has been proven unfounded. The implementation of this law has not led to an increase in violent crimes or accidental shootings. Instead, it has allowed law-abiding citizens to exercise their constitutional rights and protect themselves and their loved ones. The reduction in violent crimes in Florida’s biggest cities shows that responsible gun ownership can contribute to a safer society. It is time to put aside the baseless fears and focus on the tangible benefits that constitutional carry brings to the citizens of Florida.
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