TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Senate delivered a final vote Thursday to approve a bill that would allow people to carry concealed weapons without a permit, sending the measure to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who has said he will sign it into law.

What You Need To Know

  •  Lawmakers approved a bill the will allow permitless concealed carry in Florida on Thursday, the next step is approval by the governor

  •  The bill will allow Floridians to carry a concealed weapon without a license

  •  The bill also expands Florida's school guardian program

The proposal is part of a larger school safety bill, which would also expand Florida’s guardian program into private schools. The Coach Aaron Feist Guardian Program empowers trained personnel, such as teachers or security officers, to carry a firearm on campus.

Tampa Republican Sen. Jay Collins is the bill sponsor (SB 150). Speaking Wednesday to reporters, Collins said the recent school shooting in Nashville is all the more reason to move forward with the legislation. Six died in the siege, including three children.

“This is a big step for the state of Florida,” said Collins. “This is a monumental codification of our right to bear arms, and it does fantastic things for our schools to keep them safe and take care of those things we love the very most — our children, when we can’t be there with them.”

Supporters argue the bill will align state law with the Second Amendment, which is why the bill is otherwise known as “Constitutional Carry.” 

Critics, meanwhile, argue the bill will endanger Floridians by allowing more concealed weapons in untrained hands.

Miami Democratic Sen. Jason Pizzo, who opposes the measure, proposed an amendment Wednesday that would allow permitless carry inside the Florida Capitol.

Republicans, he contends, should allow unrestricted access to the Capitol if they indeed feel safe about permitless carry. State law allows weapons inside the Complex, except during an active committee meeting or inside of the legislative chambers. 

“If it’s OK for our family members to be out in public with people that are carrying without a permit, why are we not feeling safe with the same sort of provision inside the legislative chamber or in committee meetings?” Pizzo told Spectrum News.

The amendment failed. 

The measure will now go to DeSantis’ desk. DeSantis has expressed support for the measure, while also saying he would support additional open-carry legislation.

Florida would become the 26th state with permitless carry laws if signed by DeSantis. A separate bill, meanwhile, is seeking to lower the minimum gun buying age from 21 to 18.