The state of Florida has announced that it will expedite more than 50,000 concealed carry permit applications for active duty members of the military and military veterans. The announcement, issued from the office of Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam, says that the decision is in response to attacks against military personnel that took place in Chattanooga, Tennessee, last summer. In that event, four Marines were killed when a gunman opened fire at two military facilities.
“The men and women who serve and have served our country deserve all of the support we can provide,” said Putnam. “I’m pleased that we have been able to expedite so many active military members and veterans’ applications for a concealed weapon license.”
The department will issue permits to active military personnel who show a copy of their Common Access Card or other official military identification along with their applications. The department can also accept a copy of service members’ current orders as proof of active duty status. Honorably discharged veterans should submit a copy of their DD 214 long form with their applications.
The decision to expedite the applications is intended to make the whole process faster and easier for military servicemen and women. Applications can be handled via mail or at one of the department’s eight regional offices in the following locations: Doral, Fort Walton, Jacksonville, North Port, Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa and West Palm Beach. Applicants are also being accepted at 36 tax collector’s offices across the state from 36 counties: Baker, Brevard, Charlotte, Citrus, Clay, Collier, Columbia, Escambia, Flagler, Hardee, Hendry, Hernando, Highlands, Hillsborough, Holmes, Indian River, Jackson, Lake, Lee, Leon, Liberty, Marion, Martin, Monroe, Nassau, Okaloosa, Pasco, Pinellas, Putnam, Seminole, St. Johns, Sumter, Suwannee, Taylor, Walton and Washington.
