What happened to downtown Orlando's security checkpoints?

ORLANDO, Fla. - After seven people were hurt in a mass shooting in downtown Orlando in 2022, the City of Orlando and Orlando police added six security checkpoints to get into the downtown entertainment district. Those checkpoints included metal detectors and police K9s to access the street where Orlando's bustling bars and clubs area.

Two years later, those checkpoints went away. On Friday morning, two people were killed, and eight others hurt in a mass shooting downtown, where thousands were out celebrating Halloween.

A 17-year-old boy has been detained and faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder in the wake of the shooting, police said.

Downtown Orlando shooting: Bodycam footage

Bodycam footage shows the second round of shots fired and the officer taking down the suspect in the downtown Orlando shooting early Friday morning.

During a morning press conference with Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith and Florida State Attorney Andrew Bain about the shooting, questions were raised about security downtown, including the security checkpoints.

What happened to them? Why did they go away?

Police Chief Eric Smith said the security checkpoints ended when House Bill 543 was passed and signed by Gov. DeSantis in April. It went into effect in July 2023.

"That all went away when, sort of, the law changed, when the law changed, and basically you can carry a weapon on a public street as long as you meet certain criteria. So when that changed, we could no longer do that," Chief Smith said, referring to Florida's so-called permitless carry law.

Downtown Orlando shooting: Full press conference

Orlando Police Chief Eric Smith and State Attorney Andrew Bain, who is running to keep his job in the November election, held a press conference on Friday morning to discuss a deadly mass shooting downtown. A 17-year-old suspect shot and killed 2 people and injured 6 others, Smith said.

"It's unfortunate that the changes in the state concealed weapons laws have made it even easier for people to carry guns and to carry guns and bring guns downtown. Honestly, I'm frustrated to have to stand in front of you all and again share the news that we have senselessly lost another life due to gun violence," said Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer.

HB 532 explained

Under HB 532, Florida gun owners are no longer required to have a concealed weapons permit or license to carry a concealed weapon. People do have to have ID on them and must show it when law enforcement asks.

People are still allowed to apply for a concealed weapons permit through the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, which eliminates the three-day waiting period (or cooling-off period) to purchase a firearm, and offers reciprocity benefits to other states.

Here is the bill's summary:

"Authorizes person to carry concealed weapon or firearm if he or she is licensed to do so or meets specified requirements; requires person who is carrying concealed weapon or firearm without license to carry identification & display upon demand by law enforcement; prohibits person who is carrying concealed weapon or firearm without license from carrying such weapon or firearm in specified locations; authorizes nonresident to carry concealed weapon or firearm in this state if he or she meets same requirements as resident; requires Office of Safe Schools to develop behavioral threat management operational process."

Guns are not allowed in places where guns are banned, such as schools, colleges, professional athletic events, polling places, airport terminals, courthouse or courtroom, and law enforcement places, according to Florida law.

Shooting response: Temporary curfew and alcohol sales to end at midnight

In response to the shooting, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer declared a local state of emergency, issued a weeklong curfew for the downtown entertainment district, and ordered alcohol sales to end at midnight.

The curfew is from 1 a.m. to 5 p.m. These restrictions end next Friday.

"Law enforcement is always changing. We are working with the city and the clubs downtown to figure out if there is something else we can go to, to sort of keep it secure down there. We have no idea what people have, you know, on their person, if they have grudges against somebody, you know, most people are down there to have a great time and, of course, you always get those few people who come down there who have different things on their mind", Chief Smith said.

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