Ron Desantis, Republican Gov. of Fla., signed a new gun bill into law on Mon. April 3, allowing Floridians to carry a concealed weapon without a permit. This new law will become effective on July 1.

“While a background check and three-day waiting period will still be required to purchase a gun from a licensed dealer, they are not required for private transactions or exchange of weapons,” The Associated Press, said. 

The Florida House and Senate both have a Republican majority, enacting right-wing laws to be quickly moved through legislation. 

“Government will not get in the way of law-abiding Americans who want to defend themselves and their families,” Fla. Sen. Jay Collins, a Republican who sponsored the bill, said in a press release. 

Like most new laws, HB 543, is divided along the political spectrum with Republicans celebrating the bill and Democrats shaming  it. 

“It is shameful so soon after another tragic school shooting, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a permitless concealed carry bill behind closed doors,” White House Press Secretary, Karine Jean-Pierre, said. 

Taylor Gale, a sophomore, is a longtime Floridian and has been keeping up with this new bill. Gale believes this could not only affect the community, but also the schools. 

“Personally I do not support this, mainly due to the high amount of mass shootings recently, specifically in schools,” Gale said. “I feel as though this is putting me as a student in more danger.” 

Others mentioned two mass shootings that have happened in Florida over the last decade, including the Pulse Nightclub shooting in Orlando back in 2016 and the Parkland shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

14-year-old Jaime was killed at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School back in 2018. Her father, Fred Guttenberg, was enraged throughout an online news conference. 

“I understand why you hid today,” Guttenberg said, talking about Desantis. “You are a weak, pathetic, small-minded individual.”