UPDATE: Armed American News asked Fried Tuesday evening to verify in writing that the 22 licensees whose CWFLs she suspended were all charged with a felony.
PREVIOUS: Florida Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried announced Tuesday she has suspended the concealed weapon and firearm licenses of 22 people who attended the Jan. 6 “insurrection” at the U.S. Capitol.
Fried’s office oversees Florida’s licensing division, which issues the popular CWFLs.
“I just suspended the concealed weapons permits of 22 people involved in the insurrection against the United States of America instigated by Donald Trump on January 6, 2021,” Fried said in a tweet Tuesday. (Editor’s note: Florida issues a weapons license, not a permit.)
“The deeply disturbing events that occurred at our nation’s Capitol on January 6th were sedition, treason, and domestic terrorism – and those individuals involved in the insurrection must be held accountable for attempting to subvert our democratic process,” Fried said in a written statement. “Since charges began being filed, we are using our lawful authority to immediately suspend the licenses of 22 individuals involved in the storming of the U.S. Capitol. This is an ongoing effort, and as charges and sentences continue in the wake of this despicable attack, we will further suspend and revoke any additional licenses granted to insurrectionists.”
I just suspended the concealed weapons permits of 22 people involved in the insurrection against the United States of America instigated by Donald Trump on January 6, 2021.
— Nikki Fried (@NikkiFried) July 27, 2021
Fried’s move came as the U.S. House of Representative’s Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol was holding it’s first hearing.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) Division of Licensing has the ability to immediately suspend a license if the licensee is charged with a felony or certain other disqualifying offenses, Fried’s office said in a statement. Once a judgement is rendered, if the sentence disqualifies, FDACS can revoke the license.
Fried, who is also a candidate for governor, did not say if any of the 22 license holders she suspended had been arrested or charged. Instead, she said she has the authority to suspend the licenses.
Republican State Rep. Anthony Sabatini said in a tweet that Fried should be “subpoenaed & investigated for this unlawful & politically motivated action Although the House can only impeach for misdemeanors, we should immediately pass a law to strip her of all power.”
Stay tuned for more on this breaking story.
Richard Nascak is cofounder and Executive Director of Florida Carry, Inc.
“Florida Carry is aware of the news of Commissioner Fried’s suspension of 22 concealed-carry licensees, and is committed to ensuring due process of law is abided.”
In accordance with Art. 3, Sec. 5 of the FL Constitution, @NikkiFried should immediately be subpoenaed & investigated for this unlawful & politically motivated action
Although the House can only impeach for misdemeanors, we should immediately pass a law to strip her of all power https://t.co/Y242kFxOfn
— Rep. Anthony Sabatini (@AnthonySabatini) July 27, 2021
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