Richard Corcoran Resuscitates Adam Putnam’s Plan to Give Guns to Possible Criminals

Republicans are once again backing a bill that could make it easier for possible criminals to get guns. 

Weeks ago, Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam inserted language into an agriculture bill that could have made it easier for guns to get into the wrong hands. The provision created an uproar — and was quickly dropped by Senate Republicans after the Parkland tragedy. 

At the time, Putnam called for the provision to be delayed — but never said he wanted it withdrawn. Now, weeks later, Putnam’s loosening of gun laws seems to have been revived by Richard Corcoran’s House of Representatives.

The House is considering so-called agriculture bill CS/CS/HB 553, which would allow Floridians to receive a concealed carry license even if they have not completed a background check. This effort to water down gun laws just weeks after Parkland comes as House Speaker Richard Corcoran is preparing to launch his gubernatorial bid and prove his conservative bona fides to the GOP’s far right base.

“There’s no better example of the GOP gubernatorial candidates’ race to the right than Speaker Corcoran and Adam Putnam coming together to weaken our gun laws. HB 553 is just the latest proof that Republicans will literally do anything to lock down their far right base — including endangering the public safety and making it easer for possible criminals to get guns,” said FDP spokesperson Kevin Donohoe.