Despite opposition from aviation officials, a bill that would allow people with concealed-weapons permits to bring their guns into airport terminals but not through federal security screening has gained momentum in the Senate.
The measure (SB 1500), was narrowly approved along party lines in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee.It has two additional committee appearances scheduled in the Senate and the House version (HB 4051) has yet to be heard in committees so no one knows how far the bill will go this legislative session.
Senator Wilton Simpson (R-Tribly) is sponsoring the bill. He said it is intended to let people maintain their personal safety while dropping off or picking up travelers.
Do you think the 2nd Amendment will be destroyed by the Biden Administration?(2)
Simpson said:
Aviation officials do not agree. Michael Stewart, director of the Jacksonville Aviation Authority said law enforcement agencies already in place at airports are concerned about introducing more guns to potentially stressful situations.When you see that there are lots of terroristic threats around airports and security around airports, and it seems to me that when you have 100 million visitors come through the state of Florida at some level, this is one of those areas we need to address.
Stewart said:
Obviously the good person there has been trained, but when someone else sees someone with a weapon . . . the introduction of a weapon could be a problem.
Under the proposal, people intending to travel with firearms will have to pack the unloaded guns in their luggage and declare the pieces when checking in.
