Effort underway to loosen Florida's gun laws

PORT ORANGE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Some may say Florida has some of the most "Wild West" laws regarding defending oneself with a gun; but when it comes to how you pack your weapon, it's a different story.  Florida is one of only seven states nationwide that do not allow open carry.

In Florida, your gun must be concealed, but Sean Caranna of Port Orange is working hard to change that. He and 1,500 some members of the grassroots group "Florida Open Carry" are pushing to have the current state statute banning open carry repealed next legislative session.

Caranna tells FOX 35's Tracy Jacim, "I can show you tons of proof where crimes have been prevented by seeing someone open carry." Jacim asks, "Not amplified? Some people would argue if a robber's going to rob you, they're going to rob you. If they see you have a gun, they'll just shoot you first." Caranna responds, "But it's never happened. Criminals pretty much by nature want easy targets."

Caranna goes on to say, "Even if I go to a friend's house, and I have a concealed weapon on under my coat, I can't take off my coat. Even if my friend knows I'm armed, and allows it in their own house, it's currently illegal!"

Another reason why Caranna says he and the other 15-hundred members of the grassroots group "Florida Open Carry" are determined to get the current state statute banning open carry repealed next legislative session.

For some members of that group, it's become the issue that'll determine their vote for governor.

On the group's website, a press release advertises this statement from Republican candidate Rick Scott: "As a member of the NRA and a hunter, I'm a strong supporter of the second amendment." It goes on to say, "Repealing the ban on open carry will eliminate practical and constitutional problems in Florida."

The Scott camp confirmed that statement for us tonight.

While according to Caranna, Alex Sink's camp, apparently only said they would have to research the issue more before making a statement.

And while statistics show defensive gun use tops two million cases nationwide every year, there are no clear statistics on whether open carry would increase or decrease that number. But Caranna knows what he believes, and he believes open carry is the only civil way to go.