Making good on a promise to protect the military following the July slayings of four marines and a sailor in Tennessee, Florida has fast-tracked the issuing of concealed weapon permits to current military and veterans, approving 7,549 licenses in just 60 days.
That is a pace of 125-a-day in the state that already leads the nation in permit holders.
After the shootings in Chattanooga, Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued an executive order to protect Florida National Guard members. That was followed by a move by Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam to fast-track the concealed carry process for active military members and veterans.
At issue was the military’s gun control measures on bases and inside recruiting stations where weapons are not allowed by anybody other than police. The governor also ordered that National Guard recruiting offices be relocated in armories.
Sen. Rand Paul, the Kentucky Republican running for the GOP presidential nomination, last month introduced legislation that would let military members carry weapons while on base.
It has been reported that Chattanooga shooter Mohammad Abdulazeez was upset with the U.S. war on terror.
The fast-track program and success was noted this week in testimony to the state legislature. According to Florida radio station WGCU, Grea Bevis, director of the Division of Licensing at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said the goal has been to get a license to military and veterans within six days.
“We developed a business model. And, since then, 60 days ago today since we basically started looking at this, I’m pleased to report we have issued 7,549 licenses to either current military personnel and/or veterans. Currently, we’ve got 311 in a respective queue and our average time right now is roughly six days on turnaround,” said the director according to WGCU.
The state has also put the fast-track notice on its website:
Concealed Weapon License
Interested in applying for or renewing a concealed weapon license? The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services administers the concealed weapon license program.
Note to Military Members and Veterans
The department is now expediting all Florida concealed weapon or firearm license applications submitted by active military members and veterans.
Active military personnel who want to apply for a concealed weapon license should include a copy of their Common Access Card or other form of official military identification with their applications. The department will also accept a copy of service members’ current orders as proof of active duty status.
Paul Bedard, the Washington Examiner’s “Washington Secrets” columnist, can be contacted at [email protected].
