Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis signed his state's permitless constitutional carry law, making it the 26th state to do so.

The move now means that more than half of the nation's states allow legal handgun carrying without a permit.

DeSantis’ signature tips US into majority 'constitutional carry' nation with new Florida gun rights law https://t.co/UNp90Acm3S

— Fox News (@FoxNews) April 3, 2023

The importance

"The NRA applauds Florida for becoming the 26th state to adopt the vital Constitutional Carry legislation. This NRA-spearheaded initiative empowers Floridians to exercise their Second Amendment rights without undue bureaucratic barriers, affirming the fundamental right to self-defense," NRA-ILA Interim Executive Director Randy Kozuch exclusively told Fox News Digital in a statement.

"The Florida Senate voted 27 to 13 last week on the constitutional carry bill, sending the legislation to DeSantis, who signed it into law on Monday morning. There were already 25 states that had permitless or 'constitutional carry' laws on the books, meaning Florida tipped the U.S. into becoming a constitutional carry-majority nation," the report added.

GUN LAW COMPROMISE— @GovRonDeSantis says he will take whatever he can get from the Florida Legislature

"I'm for everything, I've said that from the beginning. If they send me something that is 90% or 80%, I'm gonna take that win and we https://t.co/yaKu7FMUvJ… pic.twitter.com/ClQxbyUZeU

— The Floridian (@Floridianpress) March 27, 2023

Making progress

"I'm for everything, I've said that from the beginning. If they send me something that is 90% or 80%, I'm gonna take that win and we can come back for more," DeSantis said.

“There are a lot of things I don’t get as speaker that I want, and I’m very, very happy that this bill moves us forward, expands rights in a way that are material and important,” Speaker Renner added.

"Constitutional Carry" Gun Law Change Heading To Florida Gov. DeSantishttps://t.co/z5pVhXeZcq pic.twitter.com/RdFV5rfgvD

— The Free Press (@tampafreepress) March 30, 2023

“(The bill) is backed by Florida sheriffs, I believe 60 out of 67, it is backed by the police chiefs, the PBA (Police Benevolent Association), the prosecuting attorneys, and our AG (attorney general),” bill sponsor Jay Collins, R-Tampa, said.

“Those are people I know, I respect, and I trust. Their reputations are beyond reproach, and they stand with this very good bill," he added.

The bill came with some controversy as it was signed just a week after a tragic school shooting in Nashville that killed six people, including three students.

Others see the bill as another step in the plans for DeSantis to potentially run for president in 2024.

The popular Florida governor has been the only candidate to poll strongly against former President Donald Trump despite not announcing a run for the GOP nomination.

The upcoming weeks could reveal more about his potential run, especially as former President Donald Trump faces an indictment in New York.