California Gov. Gavin Newsom may have some egg on his face after erroneously blaming a Memorial Day shooting in Hollywood, Florida on a new permitless carry law signed this spring by Gov. Ron DeSantis, because the law doesn’t take effect until July.
According to Fox News, Democrat Newsom was fact-checked by DeSantis Press Secretary Jeremy Redfern, and his assertion is being soundly debunked.
DeSantis kicked off his first campaign tour Tuesday by visiting Iowa, while authorities continue investigating a Memorial Day shooting in Hollywood, Fla. The shooting was allegedly ignited by a dispute between two groups. At least nine people were wounded.
Newsom apparently couldn’t resist, going on Twitter to declare, “DeSantis signed a permit-less carry bill in April that removes requirements for: background checks, instruction, training+oversight. Until our leaders have the courage to stop bowing down to the NRA and enact common sense gun safety this kind of senseless violence will continue.
But Redfern returned fire with this response: “Hi Gavin. How does a law that doesn’t take effect until July 1st change this outcome?”
Florida’s adoption of permitless carry tilted the balance of states where carrying a firearm for personal protection does not require a license or permit. Many people call this “constitutional carry,” but in the Sunshine State, the bill only affects concealed carry, not open carry.
According to Fox News, “Newsom’s claims about the constitutional carry law removing requirements for background checks are also misleading.” The vocally anti-gun California governor claimed permitless carry “removed background check requirements.”
As noted by Fox News, Florida law anyone wishing to obtain a license to carry in public must:
- Be a citizen or lawful permanent resident of the United States
- Be at least 21 years old
- “Desire a legal means to carry a concealed weapon” for lawful self-defense
- Pass a fingerprint-based background check
- Complete a firearms training class, among other requirements.
Background checks are still required for anyone buying a firearm from a federally-licensed gun dealer, so Florida’s new statute does not eliminate the need for such a check.
Investigators have not identified all the suspects, so there is no way Newsom could know who they are or how old they are.
Newsom is an opponent of concealed carry, and earlier this year he supported legislation “to strengthen the state’s restrictions on who can carry a firearm in public,” according to ABC7 News.
