[Congressional Record Volume 162, Number 80 (Thursday, May 19, 2016)]
[House]
[Page H2848]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
FLORIDA'S GUN LAWS
(Mr. DEUTCH asked and was given permission to address the House for 1
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
Mr. DEUTCH. Mr. Speaker, my home State of Florida has some of the
absolute worst gun laws in the country.
Much like Congress, Florida's Legislature has done nothing to prevent
violent criminals from getting guns. According to a report in the south
Florida Sun-Sentinel, in just 1 year, Florida granted permits to 1,400
people who pled guilty or no contest to crimes including homicide,
assaults, and child molestation.
There are Members of this Congress who want to burden the entire
country with Florida's shamefully weak gun laws in a race to the bottom
for gun permit standards. Even the current reciprocity agreements
between States are strained by how easy Florida makes it to get a
permit.
In 2010, the Philadelphia Daily News found that 2,500 Pennsylvanians
applied for gun permits in Florida. Nonresidents apply for Florida
permits to take advantage of Florida's shocking failure to protect its
own residents from gun violence.
This Congress must reject legislation that would force States across
the country to abide by Florida's or any other State's weak gun safety
standards. Passing this reckless legislation would, unfortunately, make
gun violence Florida's most shameful export.
____________________