For almost a year, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services failed to adequately review the results of background checks on applicants for concealed weapon permits.
This negligence by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under Commissioner Putnam granted concealed weapon permits to 291 applicants who were unqualified.
This huge oversight not only created a tremendous risk to public safety in Florida but it also put other states at risk since permits can be issued to out-of-state residents and also used in states who recognize Florida's permit.
Florida is one of the only states where a non-law enforcement or criminal justice entity issues concealed handgun permits. It's clear that the Department of of Agriculture is unfit to be handling the issuance of these permits in Florida.
We're calling on the state legislature to move the permit process to a law enforcement agency, which is better suited to handle permit applications and will have the level of access to databases and systems necessary to more effectively block individuals who have dangerous histories from getting permits.
Add your name to our petition, and tell your lawmakers to support this necessary change to the permit process.