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There is currently a backlog in the Division of Licensing. Hundreds if not thousands of applications for Concealed Weapons and Firearm Licenses and renewals are sitting in crates waiting to be processed due to the incredible increase in applications.Although the Division of Licensing has been working weekend shifts trying to get through the backlog, the Legislature and Budget Officials have refused to allow the Licensing Division to hire more staff, and upgrade its systems.
The Florida Legislature has raided an $8 Million Dollar Trust Fund by removing $6 Million Dollars from it. This money was intended to expand and upgrade its computer systems, hire additional employees and buy more equipment.
Florida Law requires the Division of Licensing to issue a License to Carry a Concealed Weapon or Firearm within 90 days of receipt of the application, or the license must be denied “For Cause”, based on the criteria set forth in the statute. The raid on the Trust Fund is setting applicants up for a denial of their license due to time and financial constraints. A raid on the Trust account is not a sufficient reason to deny a law abiding Floridian, or out of state applicant, a license.
The result of this raid will be to give a $1.8 Billion Dollar working capital fund for the discretionary use of legislative leaders.
In order to prevent the Governor from vetoing the Trust Fund raid, language was added to the bill stating that if any portion of the money being pulled from any trust fund is prevented, the money shall be deducted from the education budget. Why from the education budget? The Legislature is trying to give the Governor no other option but to sign the bill into law.
The money in this Trust Fund came from gun owners, not one dime came from taxpayers through the general revenue fund, or other revenue source. Governor Christ needs to Veto this bill.
The Florida Legislature has raided an $8 Million Dollar Trust Fund by removing $6 Million Dollars from it. This money was intended to expand and upgrade its computer systems, hire additional employees and buy more equipment.
Florida Law requires the Division of Licensing to issue a License to Carry a Concealed Weapon or Firearm within 90 days of receipt of the application, or the license must be denied “For Cause”, based on the criteria set forth in the statute. The raid on the Trust Fund is setting applicants up for a denial of their license due to time and financial constraints. A raid on the Trust account is not a sufficient reason to deny a law abiding Floridian, or out of state applicant, a license.
The result of this raid will be to give a $1.8 Billion Dollar working capital fund for the discretionary use of legislative leaders.
In order to prevent the Governor from vetoing the Trust Fund raid, language was added to the bill stating that if any portion of the money being pulled from any trust fund is prevented, the money shall be deducted from the education budget. Why from the education budget? The Legislature is trying to give the Governor no other option but to sign the bill into law.
The money in this Trust Fund came from gun owners, not one dime came from taxpayers through the general revenue fund, or other revenue source. Governor Christ needs to Veto this bill.
