Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill allowing the carrying of a firearm without a license into law on April 3, allowing adults in Florida, known as the Sunshine State, to carry concealed firearms without training or a government license, according to the report. The Trace, a non-profit newspaper covering US gun violence, reported on Monday.

“With DeSantis signing the bill, carrying a gun without a license is now the law in more than half of the country,” the report said. “Florida, with a population of 23 million, is the third-largest state in the country and the second-largest state to legalize the carrying of a gun without a license,” the report said. Texas, which is the second most populous state, has eliminated licensing requirements in 2021.”

Although the majority of states now allow the unauthorized concealed carrying of a gun, the majority of the US population still lives in states that require a permit or license to carry concealed firearms. With the addition of Florida to the list of states that allow the unauthorized carrying of a gun, 142.7 live. One million people reside in states that allow the carrying of guns without a license, while 190.5 million people reside in states that maintain gun licensing requirements, according to the report.

"Gun reform groups have strongly opposed unlicensed gun laws, arguing that rescinding license requirements increases opportunities for gun violence by allowing people to carry firearms without training or background checks," the report added.