Rep. Jeff Holcomb (R-Spring Hill) filed a bill on Tuesday that would allow off-duty law enforcement officers to carry concealed weapons or firearms at athletic events.
Under Jeff Holcomb's bill, HB 1021, Florida's concealed carry laws would be modified to permit active sworn law enforcement officers to carry weapons or firearms at any school, college, or professional sporting event while attending as private citizens.
In 2023, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill that strengthened Florida's Second Amendment rights by allowing state residents to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit. At the time, Florida became the 26th state to enact Constitutional Carry legislation.
“Constitutional Carry is in the books,” DeSantis said that day.
Republican State Senator Randy Fine also filed a concealed carry bill that would extend rights to students on college campuses. The legislation was in response to an increase in "Muslim terror advocates" after Hamas' terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
Along with state support of concealed carry, DeSantis has expressed interest in expanding the state's 2A rights with open carry.
Open carry is visibly carrying a firearm in public. Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey and "a "majority" of Florida sheriffs also reportedly back the idea of open carry.
"Would be great to see it hit my desk - Florida needs to join the overwhelming majority of states and protect this right," DeSantis said on open carry.
According to the U.S. Concealed Carry Association, Florida is one of four states that doesn't allow open carry. The others are California, Illinois and New York.
If passed, HB 1021 would take effect on July 1. The bill does not currently have a Senate sponsor.
The 2025 legislative session will begin on March 4 and go through May 2.
