Concealed weapons permit proposal delayed in Florida legislature

A proposal that would have allowed applicants to get concealed weapons permits if Florida officials didn't complete background checks in time was been postponed Thursday, and the powerful Senate budget chairman said it's not coming back this session.

"We're not hearing that gun bill the rest of session," said Sen. Rob Bradley, R-Fleming Island, who said he was "at a loss" and "devastated" over the shooting at a Broward County high school, which left 17 people dead.

"I will tell you right now, I'm looking for solutions," he said. "And I'm not looking to spend the rest of the time of session talking about gun bills unless it deals with making sure that an individual who's mentally ill and 19 years old doesn't get it."

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Florida may issue gun licenses with incomplete background checks.

Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who had asked that the gun provision be added to the bill, also wanted the bill postponed, he said in a statement Thursday. Putnam is considered the GOP frontrunner in his bid for governor.

“I mourn, along with the rest of the country, for those who lost their lives at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High and their loved ones,” Putnam said in a statement. “And out of respect for their families and those suffering as a result of this tragedy, I’m working with bill sponsors to postpone consideration of the legislative proposal related to the licensing process.”

"While the shooter would not have even been eligible for a concealed weapon license and clearly had a troubled past that indicated serious mental health issues, the focus should now be on mental health and how we protect our children.

"All of us have an obligation to notify authorities when we see the behavior that this killer exhibited online and in school."

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Concealed weapons permit proposal delayed in Florida legislature

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