CONCEALED WEAPON APPLICATION LAWSUIT

An Okaloosa County resident has filed a lawsuit challenging the decision by state Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried to suspend accepting online applications for concealed-weapons permits because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The lawsuit was filed by Cliff Maloney, president of the group Young Americans for Liberty. As many state offices closed in March because of COVID-19, Fried announced the department would not accept online applications for concealed-weapons licenses. The lawsuit says that decision violated his 2nd Amendment rights and state law and seeks an injunction to requiring the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to resume accepting applications online.