Florida Carry's legal eagle, Eric Friday met with numerous Republican Candidates for office at the Republican Party of Florida's Sunshine Summit and this is a summary of what occurred.
First and foremost is the Governor's election. Ron DeSantis is one of two Republican candidates for Governor.
DeSantis Supports Open Carry and Campus Carry. Florida Carry did not ask the question, but DeSantis specifically mentioned he supports Constitutional Carry. On Parkland, DeSantis stated he was against SB 7026 and would have voted no or vetoed it if he were a member of the Florida Legislature or Governor. Lastly, DeSantis stated would appoint strict Constitutionalist Judges to the Florida Supreme Court.
Apparently, this news has reach the Florida Democratic Party and they aren't happy. Neither is the Tampa Bay Times.
Frank White approached Florida Carry during a legal seminar before they approached him. Florida Carry states that White is "Not a Bondi Clone". When asked about SB 7026, White stated he would have consented to the NRA Plaintiff remaining anonymous in the NRA's suit against SB 7026 (AG Pam Bondi filed to remove anonymity from the juvenile plaintiffs). Also White is against Attorney General Pam Bondi's overuse of legal procedure to fight lawsuits seeking to affirm constitutional rights (Norman v. Florida). White said he'd go after violations of F.S. 790.251 Parking Lot Carry. The law that lets employees keep firearms in their cars even if the employer bans guns on the property. The House of Mouse (Disney) is a big time violator of this law. AG Bondi has not gone after violators.
Lastly, White said as Attorney General; he'd seek investigation and prosecution of the Miami Beach Officers that violated the Civil Rights of Floridians in Miami Beach. (To read about, look here, here, and here.)
Blaise Ingoglia is the Republican Party of Florida Chair. He reached out to Florida Carry. Eric Friday puts it best during their conversation;
As we were walking and ending the conversation, we mentioned that gun owners were EXTREMELY upset with the legislature over SB 7026 and their performance on 2A issues in recent years. He waved it off stating "Yes, we know". We then said, "No, we don't think you dothey're mad to the point of staying home in November." He literally stopped and was taken aback.
We related that is the attitude of much of the membership based on the passage of SB 7026 and extreme frustration with the Republican party on not advancing good and meaningful legislation. Having an (R) next to your name is no longer a guaranteed vote.
There were a number of high ranking Republicans that refused to meet with Florida Carry.
According to Florida Carry;
"Commissioner Putnam initially declined to meet, then finally agreed to have a staffer meet with us. Numerous texts were exchanged attempting to schedule a meeting were sent, before the staffer stopped responding."
Senator Galvano likewise did not respond to our multiple meeting requests.
We requested to meet prior to the summit on June 14. There was no response. At the summit, we again requested a brief meeting, and received an offer to meet in August. To date, the meeting has not occurred.
So the establishment decided not to meet with Florida Carry, but all the Republican outsiders that aresupported by President Trump did. Hmmmm. seems like the Florida GOP is going to be facing an uphill battle if they continue treating Floridians like this.
DeSantis has my vote.
For Putnam to push FL Carry aside like that.... disheartening.
