An annoyance is one thing, but that same person attempting to suppress constitutional rights is wholly another.
This is the case of New York native Christopher McClenic. The attorney and retired Secret Service special agent just four months ago founded the Stop Permitless Carry in Florida political action committee.
His announced purpose was to ease the burden on law enforcement in Florida.
McClenic takes issue with the new Sunshine State law signed on April 3 by Gov. Ron DeSantis (R). The statute took effect July 1 and permits Florida citizens and visitors from out of state who qualify to carry a concealed weapon without having to obtain a state license.
Ironically, the same Florida law enforcement McClenic claims to support has no interest in his faraway crusade.
Sarasota County Sheriff Kurt Hoffman issued a harsh response to his unrequested assistance.
“I don’t need anyone from New York coming down here and telling me how to exercise my constitutional rights. We have had zero issues post-July 1 with the implementation of the law,” Hoffman reported. “I get asked about it a lot, and it has not in any way, shape or form impacted the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office, except we have a lot more armed citizens out there who would back us up if needed, and I’m sure they would.”
Interestingly, McClenic is not eligible to practice law in Florida. This is reportedly due to non-payment to the state bar. According to Florida Bar communications director Jennifer Krell Davis, the New York attorney’s license was suspended on Oct. 3 “due to delinquent fees.”
Recently interviewed, McClenic gave odd advice over the news that he is ineligible to practice in Florida. “I wouldn’t publish that. It’s my dues — I’ll be taking care of that as soon as I get home. I’ve been a federal prosecutor.”
What his previous position has to do with being barred from practicing law in Florida is anyone’s guess.
Then there’s the issue of McClenic’s expertise on the very issue he is attempting to step into. While he claims to oppose concealed carry — hence “Stop Permitless Carry in Florida” — the state has never issued even one concealed carry permit.
That’s not the system in Florida.
Instead, the state issues Concealed Weapon or Firearm licenses, not permits. There is a chasm of difference between the two, which led McClenic to respond, “Oh, I apologize for that.”
The New York lawyer was further asked if his group is a non-profit. When he responded affirmatively, he was questioned as to why it is not registered with the Florida Secretary of State.
Then the tune changed. McClenic attempted to clarify, “It’s a PAC. It’s a political action committee. You caught me in the middle of something. It’s not a nonprofit.”
At last report the PAC received one donation of $100.
McClenic explained that the group will work with legislators to help overturn Florida’s permitless carry law. In other words, lobbying. But there’s the small issue that the Florida Lobbyist Registration Office does not have a record of McClenic or his PAC.
When this was noted, he admitted he is not a registered lobbyist and will work to rectify that oversight.
For an attorney attempting to tell Floridians how they can and cannot exercise their Second Amendment rights, McClenic appears woefully unprepared. Law enforcement does not want his help, and people in general do not appreciate uninvited interference in local matters.
The attorney may be better served by sticking to matters up North.
