| DATE: | January 28, 2021 |
| TO: | USF & NRA Members and Friends |
| FROM: | Marion P. Hammer |
| USF Executive Director | |
| NRA Past President |
On Monday, February 1, 2021 at 2:30pm, the Senate Judiciary Committee will hear SB-498 sponsored by Sen. Joe Gruters and co-sponsored by Sens. Dennis Baxley, Jeff Brandes, Doug Broxson, Travis Hutson, Ray Rodrigues, and Ana Maria Rodriguez.
SB-498 Safety of Religious Institutions is a bill to restore the constitutional right of churches and church goers to protect themselves and their families while in a religious institution.
There are eleven (11) members of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Four (4) are traditionally anti-gun Democrats. Seven (7) are Republicans who need to hear from you so they know you support this bill and the constitutional rights and freedom it restores.
PLEASE IMMEDIATELY EMAIL THESE SENATORS! URGE THEM TO VOTE YES ON SB-498
In the subject line put: Vote YES on SB-498 Safety of Churches!
(Block and Copy All email addresses into the “Send To” box)
brandes.jeff@flsenate.gov,
baxley.dennis.web@flsenate.gov,
boyd.jim.web@flsenate.gov,
bradley.jennifer@flsenate.gov,
broxson.doug@flsenate.gov,
mayfield.debbie@flsenate.gov,
rodrigues.ray.web@flsenate.gov,
ASK them to PLEASE vote YES on SB-498 Safety of Churches, when it comes up in the Senate Judiciary Committee next Tuesday, February 2, 2021.
BACKGROUND
By law, under Florida Statutes in s.790.06 law-abiding citizens may receive licenses to carry concealed weapons and firearms (CWL) for lawful purposes.
Places where license holders are prohibited from carrying firearms are listed in s.790.06(12). Nothing in that section prohibits license holders from carrying in churches, synagogues or other religious institutions. Nonetheless, anti-gun agitators have inserted language in other parts of the statutes that has been interpreted to prohibit carrying in religious institutions.
This bill will put a stop to that and will allow license holders to carry on church property (just like any other private property) unless the specific church prohibits it.
If a church or other religious institution prohibits the right to carry and self-defense rights by CWL license holders, the license holder can choose to use another religious institution if desired.