Florida Republicans Declare Open Season on Tallahassee RINOs

By: Friedrich Seiltgen

Copyright © 2022

In a story first reported by James Call with the Capital Bureau of USA Today – Florida Republicans, led by State Rep Anthony Sabatini (R – Howey-in-the-Hills), have declared war on RINOs in the Florida House and Senate who are sitting on pro-gun bills.

Sabatini has again introduced Constitutional Carry for the 2022 session, and the bill has gone nowhere. Sabatini has also introduced other legislation that has not been put up for a vote, including his bill to ban U.S. Capitol Police from the State of Florida, and E-Verify. According to Sabatini, the roadblock is the responsibility of “milquetoast” Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls.

Sabatini is a fierce 2A advocate who’s made it his mission to pass Constitutional Carry.  He believes Florida should join the other 22 states where Constitutional carry is legal, and he is determined to get it passed.

“This is the single most important bill that we can do to secure the rights of our citizens here in the state of Florida from the corrupt Biden regime,” Sabatini stated when the Seminole County Republican Executive Committee passed a resolution in support.

His bill (HB 103) is backed by several gun rights groups: Florida Young Republicans, and Republican executive committees in four counties, including Suwannee County, which is represented by Chuck Brannan. It just so happens Brannan is chair of the Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee, where the bill sits. Requests from gun rights groups to get it moving have gone unanswered. Open letters to the Governor, House Speaker Chris Sprowls, and Senate President Wilton Simpson, urging them all to state their support for the bill, have also gone unanswered.

Pro-gunners argue the threat to gun rights in Florida is not, “the actions by anti-gun Democrats, but the inaction of Republicans,” whom they dismiss as RINOs for failing to support the National Republican Party Platform that calls for Constitutional Carry.

Chandler Langevin, who’s a member of the Florida Federation of Young Republicans states, “They run on being pro-Second Amendment, but with (near) supermajorities, they can’t move this proposal.” At the same time, “Our Republican legislature can spend three weeks arguing over whether key lime pie or strawberry shortcake should be the state dessert.”

That’s right folks!  That was the first bill they worked on in the new session. I’m sure glad that strawberry shortcake is the Official Dessert of Florida!

Meanwhile, neither Sprowls nor Simpson will  answer any questions about the scheduling of the permitless carry bill for a vote. At the same time, it seems Sabatini is being punished by Sprowls.  Sabatini’s been removed from the Children, Families, & Seniors Subcommittee and his Capitol office has been moved to the basement!

Florida Communists are also unhappy with the situation. Since everything is stalled referencing guns, they aren’t able to push more ineffective gun control measures. Beth Dumond, a volunteer with Moms Demand Action, the Bloomberg financed gun grabbing organization, thinks the GOP debate about Constitutional Carry has killed any opportunity to tighten Florida Gun regulations this session.

Let me tell you about a gun regulation that still exists in Florida: When I started my career in law enforcement, I went to a gun store to purchase a backup weapon.  I made the purchase, filled out the 4473, and presented my driver’s license and Police I.D. I was asked if I was in possession of a Florida concealed weapons permit. When I asked why, they stated, “If you do not have a CCW, you have to submit to a three-day waiting period!” You heard that right, a police officer, who has gone through a criminal history check, fingerprinting, etc. and has a firearm already issued to him, has to wait three days for a firearm if he’s not in possession of a concealed weapons permit. This law still applies today.

And now for my two cents: This situation is being duplicated in states around the country, as well as in DC.  RINOs will destroy this country if conservatives don’t step up. It will be an uphill battle, but it must be done. I know you are busy working, and you voted for these people, expecting them to do their jobs and represent you, but they won’t. With few exceptions, politicians are there to grow their bank accounts and power. They don’t care what you think or want. There is a dire need for term limits. I find it interesting that the president has term limits, but Congress does not. These people must be thrown out! We must be vigilant!

That’s all for now folks! Please keep sending in your questions, tips, and article ideas. And as always – “Let’s be careful out there.”

Friedrich Seiltgen is a retired Master Police Officer with 20 years of service with the Orlando Police Department. He conducts training in Lone Wolf Terrorism, Firearms, First Aid, Active Shooter Response, and Law Enforcement Vehicle Operations in Florida. His writing has appeared in RECOIL, The Counter Terrorist Magazine, American Thinker, Homeland Security Today, and The Journal of Counterterrorism & Homeland Security International. Contact him at [email protected].