Keep Florida as safe as possible, reject open carry of firearms

Matthew 26.52: "Put your sword back into its place; for all those who take up the sword shall perish by the sword."

According to the 2014 census data, the population of Florida is 19.89 million and 19.1 percent are over the age of 65. That same year the estimated tourist population was 97 million.

I plead with our legislators, do not pass an open-carry bill in our beautiful Sunshine State.

According to an opinion column from the Orlando Sentinel and published by Bradenton Herald, 1.4 million people in Florida have concealed-carry gun permits. (I am grateful that they are permitted.) The proposed bill would allow people to carry a gun in their waistband and even in their hands.

If an officer does not have probable cause to deter a person carrying, a fine of $5,000 could be imposed on the officer and a municipality could be sued for $100,000. Lawyers are expensive.

How are we to know the good guys from the bad? Walter Tyson, identified as the shooter in Inglis in north Florida, had a concealed-carry permit.

In the state of Florida in 2015, there have been 18 mass shootings with 84 people being injured and 24 dead (Mass Shooting Tracker). Our beautiful state this year has had several shootings on school grounds resulting in two injured and two dead.

In view of these statistics the Manatee Forum Republican Woman Federated is hosting a "Concealed Carry Fashion Show." Using such adorable nicknames for their models such as "Bull's-eye", "NRA Certified", "Take Aim" and "Bullet Hole".

Citizens of this beautiful state, please let our legislators know that we want to keep Florida as safe as possible.

Pam Cronin

Bradenton

This story was originally published October 31, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Keep Florida as safe as possible, reject open carry of firearms ."