MORE FREEDOM FOR MIAMI

Too scared to enter a City of Miami or Miami-Dade park or government
building because you can't protect yourself by carrying a licensed
concealed weapon? Well, you probably don't exist, but if you do,
fear not, starting on November 17th you'll be able to arm yourself
in any park and government building you please.

The change in rules is the result of a law passed last legislative session.
Since 1987, Florida has carried a law on the books saying that no
local municipality can create ordinances pertaining to gun control
that are more severe than state laws.

That law carried no penalties, though, and was widely ignored,
especially in urban areas like Miami. Earlier this year Gov. Rick Scott
signed a new bill into law that penalizes cities for extra gun control
ordinances. That law went into effect on October 1st, and cities and
counties across the state rushed to repeal their local ordinances.

Except of course for the City of Miami and Miami-Dade County.
Earlier this week Florida Carry, a gun rights group, threatened
to file a lawsuit against the two municipalities.

"Miami continues to demand that parents have no means to protect
themselves and their children in public parks," read their press release.
"The city even goes so far as to demand that law abiding people
disarm during locally declared emergencies."

"During emergencies, when police agencies are often overwhelmed,
the right to defend yourself is CRITICAL! The City of Miami and
Miami-Dade County have both declared they can take your rights
away at their whim in parks and even after a disaster."

Now, Florida Carry claims they have been assured that both
municipalities will drop their gun ordinances by November 17th and
have decided to drop the lawsuits.

"Moments before the cases were filed with the court, we received
assurances from the Miami City Attorney's Office that their unlawful
ordinances will be repealed on November 17th. Miami-Dade County
has also agendaed a measure to repeal its gun control laws."

So now Miamians will be able to carry their guns, as long as they
have a concealed carry license that is, into government buildings
and public parks. Any "No Gun" signs will be removed. Citizens will
also not be required to disarm in the event of a disaster like a hurricane.

The new law is the result of the NRA and other gun rights groups
trying to condense power to make gun laws on the state level where
they are more able to appeal to lawmakers from rural areas.

"I'm concerned about some deranged person who doesn't like what
our government is doing coming in and shooting someone," Elaine H.
Black of the Liberty City Trust told The Miami Herald earlier this
year. "If I can go now into the Miami Riverside Center, the main
operating office of Miami, or any municipal building -- and there's
always someone who's walking into that door who's not happy with
government. Maybe you put a lien on my property, and I think that's
not right -- I can walk in with a gun and shoot you."

[All emfasis has been added by David.]