A bill allowing tax collectors to help Florida meet a rising demand for concealed weapon permit applications passed the full Senate Friday and is now heading to the Governor.
“This bill allows county tax collectors the ability to apply to the Agriculture Commissioner and request that the Commissioner appoint them, so they can accept applications for concealed weapons license,” said Sen. Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby), the bill's sponsor.
And, Senate Democratic Leader Chris Smith says this is a gun-related measure that he can get behind.
“Increasing the ability for people to do the right thing to get a concealed weapons permit if they want to carry a concealed weapon and, opening these opportunities to abide by the law and do what the law says, I think that is a very good thing,” said Smith.
Local tax collectors that get permission from the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will be able to charge a convenience fee for processing the applications. The Ag department will still issue the permits. Currently, the state has eight regional locations that accepts these applications.
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