By Regan McCarthy
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wfsu/local-wfsu-968070.mp3
Tallahassee, FL – \\Three bills backed by the National Rifle Association passed during the Florida legislative session this year. The bills endeavor to protect Floridians' rights to bear arms, but Regan McCarthy reports some say one measure meant to protect those who carry guns might not have gone far enough.
Past NRA President Marion Hammer says a bill amended during the session is now too watered down. The bill as originally written would have allowed an open carrying policy, but the proposal faced significant resistance from the retail community causing legislators to dilute it. The bill decriminalizes situations in which a person accidentally exposes a gun. Hammer says a measure with words like accidentally and inadvertently leaves too much room for interpretation.
"A law enforcement officer predisposed to harassing law abiding gun owners subjective terms are not going to be a deterrent."
Hammer says attorneys have advised her the only way to ensure those who are carrying guns don't face police questioning is to legalize an open carry policy. Law makers also approved a proposal preventing medical professionals from asking patients whether they own guns, and another requiring local governments to comply with the same carrying restrictions as the state government.