Less than a month after the attack in Chattanooga, Florida Senator Rand Paul introduced an amendment to the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act, which would amend permit members of the armed forces to possess firearms on military installations in accordance with applicable state and local law.
“I find it ridiculous that the brave men and women serving in our armed forces are asked to defend us overseas but cannot protect themselves once they return home. My amendment ensures that our honorable service members are allowed to protect themselves while serving our nation at home,” Sen. Paul said.
Soon after that Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam made the decision to expedite all Florida concealed weapon or firearm license applications submitted by active military members and veterans.
From the Florida Concealed Weapon License Website:
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.
Honorably discharged veterans should submit a copy of their DD 214 long form with their applications.
And they definitely meant it. Within 60 days they approved 7,549 concealed weapon licenses for military personnel and vets. That’s a whopping pace of 125 licenses per day. Their normal processing time is within 90 days. The worked on a business model that would cut that turnaround time down to 30 days. Well, whatever they did worked because the average processing time right now is roughly 6 days.
So if you are in the military or you are a veteran and are interested in getting your Florida Concealed Weapons Permit, now is the time to apply. Including what is listed above, active-duty military personnel may submit copies of any of the following documents that confirm your experience with a firearm gained during your service:
- military orders including call to active-duty letter;
- a statement of military service signed by, or at the direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters which identifies you and provides your date of entry on your current active-duty period;
Former military personnel can submit a DD 214 long form reflecting honorable discharge from military service.
And Florida offers resident and non-resident permits.
For more information on how to obtain your Florida Concealed Weapons permit click here.
