Marqus Hill was denied a permit to carry a gun in Philadelphia after a 2005 confrontation with officers. But that didn’t stop Hill, he applied for a firearms license from Florida. Though police said Hill lost a 2008 appeal to win back his permit and then reacted by assaulting a police officer in court, Florida mailed him a gun license in 2009. On September 12, 2010, Hill gunned down 18-year old Irving Santana who allegedly broke into his car. Hill shot Santana 13 times. Hill was arrested and charged with murder. This case highlights a loophole that allows nonresidents of three states, Florida, New Hampshire and Utah, to obtain gun permits even if their home states have denied or revoked permits for them. Florida’s application can be filled out online and the permit is sent by mail. Officials in Pennsylvania estimate that 3,000 – 4,000 people in their state have obtained permits this way.
