Amid political fighting about the issue, a Northwest Florida resident has filed a lawsuit challenging a decision by state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried to suspend accepting online applications for concealed-weapons licenses because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cliff Maloney, an Okaloosa County resident who is president of the group Young Americans for Liberty, filed the lawsuit Friday in Leon County circuit court, alleging the decision by Fried violated his 2nd Amendment rights and state law. The lawsuit seeks an injunction to require the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which oversees concealed-weapons licenses, to resume accepting applications online.
“(The) department and the commissioner have subjectively, arbitrarily and capriciously denied the rights of honest, law-abiding persons, which the statute was designed to protect, by making it more difficult for them to obtained concealed weapon licenses,” the lawsuit said.
As many state offices closed in March because of COVID-19, Fried announced that the department would not accept online applications for concealed-weapons licenses. In an April 22 letter to Attorney General Ashley Moody, Fried wrote that a directive from Gov. Ron DeSantis to close offices “rendered our department unable to take fingerprints for concealed weapons license applicants at this time.”
Floridians, however, could continue to submit applications by mail or through county tax collector offices, with applications being processed, Fried wrote in the letter.
The decision by Fried, the only statewide elected Democrat, has led to political fighting, with groups such as the National Rifle Association criticizing her and groups such as the Florida Coalition to Prevent Gun Violence supporting her. It also led to a somewhat-unusual terse exchange of letters last month between Moody and Fried about the issue. That was followed last week by a Fried political committee sending out an email that attacked the NRA and Moody.
_
Please follow CDC guidelines and Orange County advisories to stay safe, and please support this free publication. Our small but mighty team is working tirelessly to bring you news on how coronavirus is affecting Central Florida. Please consider making a one-time or monthly donation. Every little bit helps.
33811 5705I discovered your weblog internet site on google and examine a number of of your early posts. Continue to maintain up the superb operate. I just extra up your RSS feed to my MSN News Reader. In search of forward to reading much more from you later on! 920614
763386 798317We clean up on completion. This might sound obvious but not many a plumber in Sydney does. We wear uniforms and always treat your home or workplace with respect. 19562
423304 448983Yours is actually a prime example of informative writing. I think my students could learn a great deal from your writing style and your content. I may possibly share this post with them. 894445
938716 963671A thoughtful insight and suggestions I will use on my site. Youve clearly spent some time on this. Congratulations! 653651
623299 224514Hi there, i just thought i would publish and now let you know your sites style is truly smudged within the K-Melon browser. Anyhow preserve in the really good work. 140427
50201 967028Utterly composed topic material , thanks for selective information . 515920
74561 114039Visiting begin a business venture around the internet normally means exposing your products or services moreover provider not only to some individuals inside your town, but but to plenty of future prospects who may possibly be over the internet many times. simple internet business 788167
987738 597250Some really fantastic info , Gladiola I found this. 936628
188904 807551Id always want to be update on new content material on this website , saved to fav! . 774341
831050 713906What a lovely weblog. I will surely be back again. Please preserve writing! 15794
336292 119377I believe this really is greatest for you: Soccer, Football, Highlight, Live Streaming 623816
968972 255348Spot up for this write-up, I actually believe this web website requirements a fantastic deal a lot more consideration. Ill likely to end up once more to read a whole lot more, many thanks for that info. 427041
302976 768473Often the Are usually Weight reduction strategy is unquestionably an low-priced and flexible weight-reduction plan product modeled on individuals seeking out shed some pounds combined with at some point maintain a far healthier your life. la weight loss 470219
436440 970982The urge to gamble is so universal and its practice so pleasurable, that I assume it need to be evil. – Heywood Broun 349299
483817 624471Was koche ich heute – diese Frage stellen sich tag fuer tag viele Menschen. Und wir haben tag fuer tag die perfeckte Antwort darauf! Besuchen Sie uns auf unserer Webseite und lassen Sie sich von uns beraten . Wir freuen uns auf Sie! 438513
665669 430367You could certainly see your enthusiasm within the work you write. 934258
691211 369660a good deal lately with my father so hopefully this will get him to see my point of view. Fingers crossed! mortgage banker new york 283443
383061 265906There is noticeably lots of cash to understand about this. I assume youve produced certain nice points in capabilities also. 110338
369617 86057This really is such a great post, and was thinking considerably the same myself. Another wonderful update. 548297