Florida - Florida Agricultural Commissioner Adam Putnam, who has put his name in the running for Florida Governor, joined WNDB's Marc Bernier and Chuck Bennet on air during Wednesday's edition of the Bennet and Bernier show to discuss concealed weapons licenses, the job economy in FL, and a possible ban on sanctuary cities.
Putnam said that Florida has more than 1.8 million active concealed weapons licenses issued and that the state has been expediting concealed weapons license applications so that veterans and active military residents can go to the front of the line when they apply for a license.
According to Putnam, a deadly shooting at a Navy Reserve Center gun-free zone in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in 2015 prompted the State to expedite the concealed weapons application process for veterans and active military. Since that shooting, Florida has expedited nearly 100,000 concealed weapons licenses for veterans and active military. "We do everything we can to keep our veterans and military safe and make Florida the most veteran and military-friendly state in the country," Putnam said.
Putnam on concealed weapons licenses:
[audio mp3="/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/putnam-concealed-weapons-licenses.mp3"]
When asked about the job market in Florida, Putnam explained that he wants to focus on workforce development in order to create and attract higher paying jobs to the state. Putnam said he wants to put technical and vocational programs back into middle schools and high schools and he wants to help students understand how much money they can make in those types of technical and vocational trades.
"You'll never accuse me of being a job snob," said Putnam. "I'm a small business owner and a farmer. I think that every job... working at a convenience store, working at a gas station, sweeping sidewalks... is better than sitting at home on the couch, doing nothing and collecting benefits."
Putnam on Florida's job economy:
[audio mp3="/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/putnam-jobs.mp3"]
Another hot-button issue that Putnam addressed was the proposal to ban sanctuary cities in the State of Florida. The Florida House has already passed the proposal (more on that here), and Putnam hopes the ban moves through the final process in the legislature.
"I think that taking action at the state level to prevent local governments from having a sanctuary city, so that Florida does not become like California, is important," said Putnam. He added that 17 Florida Sheriffs recently hosted a joint announcement with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to discuss a solution to the issue of violent criminals who are here illegally.
Putnam on sanctuary cities:
[audio mp3="/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/putnam-sanctuary-cities.mp3"]
To hear the full interview go to MarcBernierShow.com.
Photo of Putnam courtesy Putnam's social media.
Copyright Southern Stone Communications 2018.
