TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - Florida gun owners who don't have a concealed weapons permit can now take their firearms with them while fleeing a hurricane.
Not that it's been a big problem in Florida in the past. No one can cite an example of a gun owner being arrested while evacuating ahead of a hurricane, but lawmakers didn't want what happened in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina 10 years ago happening here.
Police there confiscated hundreds of guns from people's homes and from some evacuees.
Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes said that was the inspiration for his bill. He said he doesn't want gun owners charged with a felony if they take their weapons with them during a mandatory evacuation.
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