Your right to know at stake
Thursday, May 25, 2006
If passed, the bill would limit public access to who holds gun permits.
One of the more controversial pieces of legislation waiting for the Governor's approval in Tallahassee deals with guns and your right to know who has one.
If the Governor signs off, the public will no longer have access to information on gun permit and concealed weapons holders, or their applications.
At Knight Shooting Sports in Clearwater, you'll be hard pressed to find someone opposing the legislation.
The NRA said the bill will stop media harassment of license holders and prevent other crimes like identity theft and stolen firearms. But opponents said locking up this information sends the state down a slippery slope.
After more than 50 years of military and law enforcement experience, retired Army Major Norm Belson teaches the average citizen about handguns.
"A firearm is not a life-taker, it's a life-saver," Belson said. "And if the occasion calls for it, you should be able to defend yourself and family."
Belson said his concealed weapon permit classes at the Knight complex revolve around safety first and proper training. But a Florida law has him concerned about his own safety and anyone who owns a gun legally. Today, personal information about concealed weapons and firearms license holders are public record.
Belson, right, said the more people that know you have a gun, the more danger you and your family are in.
"If anyone else knows and information is released, I will be exposed to danger," Belson said. "My family will be exposed to danger, as well as all the other persons that have concealed weapons permits. The scumbags will, in fact, take advantage of that knowledge."
A majority of House and Senate lawmakers agreed with him and the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Earlier this month during the regular session, they passed new legislation exempting personal information from public record. Only two senators and a handful of representatives opposed it, saying the only thing in danger is Florida's policy on open records and the public's right to know.
"Florida is known as the sunshine state, not just because we have great weather, but because we have this records law that puts everything in the sunshine so the public knows what goes on," Democratic Representative Bob Henriquez said. "So I think that's the bigger issue, to be careful not to close records to the point that we're hurting our citizens in the meantime."
Henriquez said citizens would be hurt if the bill passed.
Belson disagreed, saying, "It's my business, and it's the business of the state as long as it goes through the proper authorities. It's not anyone else's business."
Henriquez said it's likely the Governor will sign the bill into law. But he also claims passing the legislation earlier this month was more about politics during an election year and offering the NRA a concession since other key legislation failed.
If the bill is approved by the Governor, the public won't have access. But law enforcement and other authorities will have access.
All gun licenses are maintained by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
If passed, the bill would limit public access to who holds gun permits.
One of the more controversial pieces of legislation waiting for the Governor's approval in Tallahassee deals with guns and your right to know who has one.
If the Governor signs off, the public will no longer have access to information on gun permit and concealed weapons holders, or their applications.
At Knight Shooting Sports in Clearwater, you'll be hard pressed to find someone opposing the legislation.
The NRA said the bill will stop media harassment of license holders and prevent other crimes like identity theft and stolen firearms. But opponents said locking up this information sends the state down a slippery slope.
After more than 50 years of military and law enforcement experience, retired Army Major Norm Belson teaches the average citizen about handguns.
"A firearm is not a life-taker, it's a life-saver," Belson said. "And if the occasion calls for it, you should be able to defend yourself and family."
Belson said his concealed weapon permit classes at the Knight complex revolve around safety first and proper training. But a Florida law has him concerned about his own safety and anyone who owns a gun legally. Today, personal information about concealed weapons and firearms license holders are public record.
Belson, right, said the more people that know you have a gun, the more danger you and your family are in.
"If anyone else knows and information is released, I will be exposed to danger," Belson said. "My family will be exposed to danger, as well as all the other persons that have concealed weapons permits. The scumbags will, in fact, take advantage of that knowledge."
A majority of House and Senate lawmakers agreed with him and the National Rifle Association (NRA).
Earlier this month during the regular session, they passed new legislation exempting personal information from public record. Only two senators and a handful of representatives opposed it, saying the only thing in danger is Florida's policy on open records and the public's right to know.
"Florida is known as the sunshine state, not just because we have great weather, but because we have this records law that puts everything in the sunshine so the public knows what goes on," Democratic Representative Bob Henriquez said. "So I think that's the bigger issue, to be careful not to close records to the point that we're hurting our citizens in the meantime."
Henriquez said citizens would be hurt if the bill passed.
Belson disagreed, saying, "It's my business, and it's the business of the state as long as it goes through the proper authorities. It's not anyone else's business."
Henriquez said it's likely the Governor will sign the bill into law. But he also claims passing the legislation earlier this month was more about politics during an election year and offering the NRA a concession since other key legislation failed.
If the bill is approved by the Governor, the public won't have access. But law enforcement and other authorities will have access.
All gun licenses are maintained by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
