TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Florida state Sen. Joe Gruters (R-Sarasota) filed a bill Friday in the Legislature that would permit a judge or magistrate to carry a concealed weapon or firearm.
Specifically, under SB 548, a judge or magistrate would be allowed to carry a weapon or firearm into any courthouse in the circuit in which they are presiding.
The bill also would allow a judge or magistrate to carry a weapon or firearm in areas to include Legislative meetings, polling places, county government meetings, public school district meetings, elementary or secondary schools, college or university, and athletic events.
Moreover, the legislation would cover any place where concealed carry is permitted under federal law. However, a person may not conceal carry a handgun or weapon into a police or sheriff station, highway patrol station, or detention facility including a prison or jail.
SB 548 might come in handy (no pun intended) after a Las Vegas judge was attacked by a man in a dramatic viral video during sentencing after he flew over her courtroom bench. The man, Deobra Redden, was about to be sentenced on an attempted battery charge before launching himself at Judge Mary Kay Holthus.
Holthus' marshall and law clerk were also injured in the assault. She later received medical attention and was back in court the next day.
Redden was later sentenced to 26 to 65 years in prison for the courtroom attack.
Recently, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signaled his support behind open carry through the Legislature. Unlike concealed carry, open carry allows for visibly carrying a firearm in public.
Florida is one of four states that does allow open carry. The others are California, Illinois, and New York.
"Would be great to see it hit my desk - Florida needs to join the overwhelming majority of states and protect this right," DeSantis said.
If passed, SB 548 would take effect on July 1.
The Floridian reached out to Sen. Joe Gruters for comment
