Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

Florida Action Report: Three (3) Good Bills Passed Today 3/15/2017

Wednesday, March 15, 2017

 

DATE: March 15, 2017
TO: USF & NRA Member and Friends
FROM: Marion P. Hammer
  USF Executive Director
  NRA Past President

 

ACTION # 1:  SB-128, the self-defense bill/burden of proof bill was heard by the full Senate on final passage today, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, and PASSED 23-15.  The bill will now be sent to the House.

SB-128 Burden of Proof by Sen. Rob Bradley restores the presumption of innocence in self-defense cases by putting the burden of proof BACK ON THE STATE where it belongs.  ALL Democrats voted AGAINST the bill.  ALL Republicans voted FOR the bill -- except Sen. Anitere Flores (R-Miami) who voted AGAINST the bill.  Below is the link to Senate Floor Vote: 

Senate Roll Call Vote on SB-128

ACTION # 2 HB-779, the bill to protect concealed weapons and firearms license holders from being charges with a crime for temporary and open exposure of a firearm, was heard in the House Criminal Justice Committee today, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, and PASSED 9-5.   The bill now goes to the House Judiciary Committee.

HB-779 Protection of CW License Holders by Rep. Neil Combee removes the criminal penalties for violations of the open carry law and prohibits a person who has a concealed firearms license from being arrested and charged with a crime if their firearm becomes temporarily exposed to sight of another person.

ACTION # 3:  HB-849 the bill to restore private property rights to churcheswas heard in the House Criminal Justice Committee today, Wednesday, March 15, 2017, and PASSED 10-2.  The bill now goes to the House Judiciary Committee.

HB-849 Carry on Church Property by Rep. Neil Combee eliminates restrictions that prevent churches from allowing firearms on church property if church property is ever used for any type of schooling. In other words, if your church, synagogue, or religious institution has a day care program or any kind of private school program Monday through Friday, the church could not allow CW license holders to carry on church property at any time.  This bill fixes that. 

It was a great day for the Second Amendment and law abiding gun owners today.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRENDING NOW
Trump’s Gun Rights Policies Making America Safe Again

News  

Monday, November 2, 2026

Trump’s Gun Rights Policies Making America Safe Again

“Crime’s way down thanks to Trump — Dems will fight to send it back up,” warns an editorial in the N.Y. Post. “Law-and-order works. Immigration enforcement works. And — like it or not — Trump’s ...

Article by NRA-ILA Litigation Director Joseph Greenlee and Professor George Mocsary Published in Yale Law Journal Forum

News  

Monday, November 2, 2026

Article by NRA-ILA Litigation Director Joseph Greenlee and Professor George Mocsary Published in Yale Law Journal Forum

A new Essay authored by NRA-ILA Litigation Director Joseph Greenlee and University of Wyoming College of Law Professor George Mocsary has been published in the Yale Law Journal Forum.

The Hunting Vote: What’s at Stake in 2026 and Beyond

News  

Monday, November 2, 2026

The Hunting Vote: What’s at Stake in 2026 and Beyond

As votes are now being cast nationwide, one influential voting bloc is drawing renewed attention: America's hunters, sportsmen, and sportswomen.

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Pennsylvania’s Carry Restrictions for Adults Under 21

Friday, October 30, 2026

NRA Files Lawsuit Challenging Pennsylvania’s Carry Restrictions for Adults Under 21

Today, the National Rifle Association, Firearms Policy Coalition, and an individual, Daniel Maines, filed a lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania’s carry restrictions for adults under 21.

District Court Declines to Enter Agreement to Invalidate Florida’s Waiting Period Law in NRA Case and Invites Amici Participation

Thursday, October 29, 2026

District Court Declines to Enter Agreement to Invalidate Florida’s Waiting Period Law in NRA Case and Invites Amici Participation

Yesterday, U.S. District Judge Steven D. Merryday denied the parties’ joint motion for entry of judgment in the National Rifle Association’s challenge to Florida’s firearm waiting period law. The case, Dunn v. Glass, remains pending ...

The NFA’s New Era: What Has Changed, What Remains the Same, Items of Note

News  

Monday, October 12, 2026

The NFA’s New Era: What Has Changed, What Remains the Same, Items of Note

As we announced separately this week, ATF has determined that it will use its executive discretion to uniformly suspend enforcement of large portions of the National Firearms Act (NFA).

For Better and for Worse, “Direct Democracy” Seeks to Alter Gun and Hunting Policy

News  

Wednesday, October 14, 2026

For Better and for Worse, “Direct Democracy” Seeks to Alter Gun and Hunting Policy

Not every important Second Amendment or hunting policy fight begins with a bill number.

Fifth Circuit Rules Federal Switchblade Knife Restrictions Violate the Second Amendment

Friday, October 23, 2026

Fifth Circuit Rules Federal Switchblade Knife Restrictions Violate the Second Amendment

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit has ruled that the federal Switchblade Act’s restrictions on the interstate commerce of switchblade knives violate the Second Amendment.

Location, Location, Location: Study Finds Crime Concentration Correlates with Politics

News  

Monday, October 26, 2026

Location, Location, Location: Study Finds Crime Concentration Correlates with Politics

It’s well established that certain offenders remain disproportionately responsible for violent crime. A 2001 report on such “chronic offenders” in Minnesota concluded that over a four-year period, just five percent of offenders were responsible for ...

Different Election, Same Billionaire, Same Gun Control Agenda

News  

Monday, October 26, 2026

Different Election, Same Billionaire, Same Gun Control Agenda

Another election, same former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg working to shape the nation’s gun laws. For years, NRA has exposed Bloomberg’s relentless efforts to export New York style gun restrictions to the rest ...

MORE TRENDING +
LESS TRENDING -

More Like This From Around The NRA

NRA ILA

Established in 1975, the Institute for Legislative Action (ILA) is the "lobbying" arm of the National Rifle Association of America. ILA is responsible for preserving the right of all law-abiding individuals in the legislative, political, and legal arenas, to purchase, possess and use firearms for legitimate purposes as guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.