Tampa Bay Split On Open Carry Proposal: Poll

TAMPA, FL — A proposal to allow Florida concealed weapons permit holders to openly carry their firearms is meeting with mixed reviews from Tampa Bay area residents.

A total of 49 percent of Tampa Bay area residents who responded to a recent 10 News WTSP and Tampa Bay Times poll said they opposed the measure. The same percentage supported the measure, the Times reported. Notably, 16 percent of the 605 respondents from Pinellas and Hillsborough counties told pollsters they thought anyone who can legally own a gun should be able to openly carry — not just concealed weapons permit holders.

See Also:

• Concealed Weapons Permits: Florida Tops 1.4 Million

The bill being pitched is sponsored by Republican father-and-son Sen. Don Gaetz and Rep. Matt Gaetz. In the House, the bill has cleared several committees. It has also moved through a few obstacles in the Senate, as well.

Florida has more than 1.4 million concealed weapons permit holders, according to the state.

Visit the Times online for more information about the poll. To read the full text of the bill, visit the Florida House of Representatives online.

What do you think of the measure? Let us know by commenting below!

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