Florida's Commissioner Agriculture & Consumer Services, Nikki Fried (D) has selected Mary Barzee Flores to be her Deputy Commissioner over Consumer Affairs. This department runs a among other things Florida's concealed carry weapons permit program. This is not a good thing. Here is a little background of her on why this is no bueno.
A former circuit court judge, she was nominated by President Obama in 2015 to serve as a federal district judge on the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida. Barzee Flores was recommended for the judgeship by Senators Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson, after she was vetted by the Florida Federal Judicial Nominating Commission, a body appointed by Rubio and Nelson.
Luckily for us, her nomination expired before she could be appointed when the 114th Congress adjourned. After that she went into private practice with Stearns Weaver Miller Weissler Alhadeff & Sitterson. But in 2018, Barzee Flores decided to run for the House of Representative's 25th District seat. Here are some snap shots from her campaign website.
Gee, that sounds so supportive right? During her campaign last year she preached support for reinstating the Clinton AWB and enacting Universal Background Checks. Her endorsements aren't favorable either when it comes to Florida Gun Owners.
Yup, highlighted are two of her backers. Who are they? Gun Grabbers of course! The Brady Campaign and Gillfords Courage along with various other far leftist organizations that back gun control. Of course Bloomberg's Moms Demand Action backed her too during the 2018 campaign. Also Fred Guttenberg, one of the parents of the Parkland attack supported her too. Who is he? Jessica McBride, for the website Heavy described him as "one of the strongest voices for changes to gun laws in the wake of the mass shooting."
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So what does this mean for Florida permit holders and gun owners? Expect our CCW program to be sent through the ringer. The streamlining that former Ag Commissioner, Adam Putnam and former Director of the Division of Licensing, Grea Bevis put in place to make it far easier for Floridians to exercise their rights gone. The online renewal, ability to apply at a county tax officer, and general quick turn around will be thrown away. I predict that under Fired and Barzee Flores; it will be turned into the gun grabber style quagmire like those found in New Jersey, Massachusetts, and California.
Everything will need to be done in person, fees will be applied to everything, applications will be denied for any small issue like a person placing an X mark when the application mandates a ✓ mark, costs will rise, hours and staffing will be reduced, and overall they will make it as hard as possible under the law and what is allowable to prevent permits from being issued or to delay their issuance as long as possible.
Elections have consequences.
