A House Republican on Monday filed a proposal that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to openly carry firearms. The bill (HB 163), filed by Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton Beach, will be considered by lawmakers during the 2016 legislative session, which starts in January. The bill also would make other changes in gun-related laws, including giving direction for judges to use “strict scrutiny” when reviewing laws dealing with the right to bear arms or self defense.
“The right to bear arms is a fundamental and individual right that exists in any place that a person has the right to be, subject only to exceptionally and narrowly tailored restrictions that employ the least possible restriction on the right in order to achieve a compelling government interest,” the bill says.
-source The News Service of Florida