Last week, gun rights activists cheered as a number of pro-gun bills sailed through the state of Florida.

In a letter published on the NRA-ILA website, Marion Hammer shared an update on what went down in the Sunshine State:

DATE: March 15, 2017
TO: USF NRA Member and Friends
FROM: Marion P. Hammer, USF Executive Director, and NRA Past President

ACTION # 1:  SB-128, the self-defense bill/burden of proof bill was heard by the full Senate on final passage today, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, and PASSED 23-15.  The bill will now be sent to the House.

SB-128 Burden of Proof by Sen. Rob Bradley restores the presumption of innocence in self-defense cases by putting the burden of proof BACK ON THE STATE where it belongs.  ALL Democrats voted AGAINST the bill.  ALL Republicans voted FOR the bill — except Sen. Anitere Flores (R-Miami) who voted AGAINST the bill.  Below is the link to Senate Floor Vote:

Senate Roll Call Vote on SB-128

ACTION # 2 HB-779, the bill to protect concealed weapons and firearms license holders from being charged with a crime for temporary and open exposure of a firearm, was heard in the House Criminal Justice Committee today, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, and PASSED 9-5.   The bill now goes to the House Judiciary Committee.

HB-779 Protection of CW License Holders by Rep. Neil Combee removes the criminal penalties for violations of the open carry law and prohibits a person who has a concealed firearms license from being arrested and charged with a crime if their firearm becomes temporarily exposed to the sight of another person.

ACTION # 3:  HB-849 the bill to restore private property rights to churches was heard in the House Criminal Justice Committee today, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, and PASSED 10-2.  The bill now goes to the House Judiciary Committee.

HB-849 Carry on Church Property by Rep. Neil Combee eliminates restrictions that prevent churches from allowing firearms on church property if church property is ever used for any type of schooling. In other words, if your church, synagogue or religious institution has a day care program or any kind of private school program Monday through Friday, the church could not allow CW license holders to carry on church property at any time.  This bill fixes that.

Great job, Florida – keep it up!