California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) issued a significant attack against Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) over a Memorial Day weekend shooting in the Sunshine State. However, the basis for the attack was found to be incorrect, as the law Newsom criticized has not yet come into effect.
A shooting at a Florida beach boardwalk left nine people injured earlier this week.
The shooting near the boardwalk in Hollywood, Florida occurred in the early evening Monday. As of this publication, one person of interest has been detained. Police are still searching for another individual potentially involved in the incident.
Furthermore, police believe that the shooting was sparked by an argument between two different groups near the beach. Videos of the shooting’s aftermath have been posted to social media.
In particular, Newsom criticized DeSantis’ support for a new permitless concealed carry bill.
Newsom wrote on Twitter that a recent law signed by DeSantis “removes requirements” for carrying firearms. The California Democrat wrote that “this kind of senseless violence will continue” unless politicians “stop bowing down to the NRA and enact common sense gun safety.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom blames Ron DeSantis' permitless carry law, which has not yet taken effect, for recent Hollywood shootinghttps://t.co/5eMoC5yPh4
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) May 30, 2023
The effort, often called ‘Constitutional carry’ by conservatives, was signed into law by the governor in April.
The effort by the California governor to attack his Florida counterpart fell flat, mostly due to the timing. The law does not come into effect until Jul. 1.
Newsom received criticism from DeSantis’ press secretary Jeremy Redfern, who replied to the California governor’s post. Redfern asked how “a law that doesn’t take effect” until July affected the shooting.
The decision made the Sunshine State the 26th state to allow the carrying of pistols without the need for a separate permit. Florida residents will still need to pass a federal background check to purchase firearms from a licensed FFL dealer.
The firearm purchasers must be aged 21 or older and convicted felons are disallowed from concealed carry.
DeSantis recently entered into the 2024 Republican primary against former President Donald Trump. DeSantis is highlighting his conservative track record as governor in his campaign.
