Letters: 'Open carry' dangerous for Florida

'Open carry' dangerous for Florida

Calling it “constitutional” doesn’t make it so. Even U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia recognized that the right of the people to bear arms is not infringed by laws prohibiting the carrying of concealed weapons. I fear the inevitable result of this ill-advised, purely political announcement by Gov. Ron DeSantis to push for "open carry" of guns is an increase in the already high level of gun violence in Florida.

Permit-less carry – which is what the Governor really means – would allow people to carry guns openly or concealed in public places without a permit, criminal history check, or safety training, all of which are currently required. There is no reason to remove these lifesaving safeguards, which ensure that only responsible gun owners carry guns in public, and there is no reason to allow carry by people who currently cannot get a permit. Florida has prohibited the open carry of guns in public for 30 years.

Permit-less carry would allow the open carry of loaded firearms, including assault weapons, in public places and in public buildings. I urge you to contact your Florida representatives and let them know that you oppose permit-less carry.

Maxine Derkatch, Boynton Beach

FOR SUBSCRIBERS: DeSantis grabs headlines for culture war wins; Trump silent on Florida fights

Cerabino belongs on local page

The writer of the letter on April 19, “Cerabino hurting journalism,” obviously does not agree with what Cerabino writes. The writer correctly calls the writing a column, not a news report, which means Cerabino is writing his opinion, not reporting the news.

Cerabino writes the column about Florida and Floridians. That makes it a column fitting the Local section. He uses facts and examples from official records to explain and justify his opinions. His columns are an example of how opinion columns should be written.

Joseph Willinger, Boynton Beach

Columnist gets too much print

Cheers to Scott Blasie for calling out Cerabino in Friday's "Letters to the Editor.” Cerabino is no longer "humorous or heartwarming.” All of a sudden, he is an expert on politics and policy. Seriously? Another question, why is he on the front page of the local section with half of an inside page? Cerabino gets way too much print.

Elaine Knapp, Palm Beach Gardens

What have Democrats accomplished?

I read editorials and letter after letter from Democrats, leveling endless criticisms at Republicans. We constantly are told how Gov. DeSantis is ruining Florida; how Sen. Rubio doesn’t fight for our best interests and how Republicans are "destroying democracy." What I never read is any praising or defending of what Democrats accomplish. How could there be? The late, great Rush Limbaugh always said the Left will never debate the issues, because they know they lose. Their only recourse is to demonize their opponents. From what I see here, I’d say he was onto something.

Bill Gambin, Jupiter

Related Commentary: Florida remains the petri dish of right-wing policy | Editorial

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This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: 'Open carry" pledge by Gov. Ron DeSantis will increase gun violence