Florida Concealed Weapons Permits May Get Cheaper

TALLAHASSEE, FL — The cost of packing heat legally in Florida may fall in the near future if a bill currently under consideration in the state Legislature continues to move forward.

The bill, supported by Florida Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Adam Putnam, cleared the Senate subcommittee on government appropriations Thursday. If approved, the measure would lower the cost to obtain a new concealed weapon license from $70 to $60. Renewal fees would drop from $60 to $50. Should the bill and its House companion make it through to Gov. Rick Scott’s desk for a signature, the new law would go into effect on July 1, 2016.

Florida has an estimated 1.4 million concealed weapon license holders. To expedite permit applications, Putnman partnered with 20 tax collectors’ offices around the state over the past few years. Local application processing is now available in such counties as Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco.

For more information on concealed weapons licenses, visit www.FreshFromFlorida.com.

To read the text of the Senate bill, visit the Sen. Garrett Richter’s website.

Image via Shutterstock