Explore The NRA Universe Of Websites

APPEARS IN Legal & Legislation

Florida Alert! Six Leon County Commissioners Thumb Their Noses at Gun Owners

Wednesday, April 11, 2018

 

DATE:   April 11, 2018
TO:       USF & NRA Member and Friends
FROM:  Marion P. Hammer
  USF Executive Director
  NRA Past President

 

Tuesday night, April 10, 2018, the Leon County Commission voted 6-1 to pass the gun control ordinance. We believe the ordinance exceeds Constitutional authority and therefore intentionally violates the Florida firearms preemption law.

The Constitution (Article XIII Local Government. Section 5. Local Option, subsection (b) allows a county to impose a background check and waiting period on sales when any part of the transaction is on “property to which the public has the right of access.”

The pivotal word in the Constitution is “right.” A "right" is an entitlement "owed" to the people. The people are not "owed" access to any property other than public property.

The ordinance unlawfully expands it to private “property owned by private individuals, firms and entities.”

For hours, gun owners testified against the gun control ordinance. And for hours, Commissioners sat and listened to testimony – some smugly because their minds were made up and they weren’t hearing what was being said.

Chairman Nick Maddox announced that there were over 200 speaker cards submitted. By our count, twice as many people testified against the ordinance as actually testified in support of the ordinance. Speaker cards were turned in for dozens more who “waived” in support of the ordinance and several dozen more who “waived” in opposition to the ordinance. Some believe that supporters of the ordinance filled out and turned in dozens of speaker cards for people who weren’t even at the hearing. County Administrator Vince Long just read over 3 dozen cards of in support of the ordinance into the record before testimony began. No one bothered to verify if the people who were “waiving their time” were actually there.

In all, the courageous people to stay to testify knowing that most Commissioners didn’t even care what was being said, are to be congratulated.

Highlights of the Meeting:

Commissioner Bryan Desloge is the only Commissioner who voted against the ordinance. He made it clear that his objection was the expansion of the ordinance into private property.

Chairman Nick Maddox went so far as to belittle a rape victim who testified against the ordinance. He commented on her earrings telling her “You don’t wear those out of the house....so make sure the record reflects that.”

Vice-Chairman Jimbo Jackson barely said a word all night. He just sat quietly then voted to impose gun control on Leon County’s law-abiding citizens.

Commissioner Bill Proctor talked off and on all evening but he seemed mostly concerned about whether or not the ordinance violated the preemption law.

Commissioner Mary Ann Lindley just grinned all evening, she had the votes in her pocket.

Commissioner Kristin Dozier appeared to vacillate all evening but we knew her mind was made up.

Florida Carry plans to file a lawsuit against Commissioners who voted in favor of the ordinance. Under state law they cannot use your tax dollars to defend themselves. We’ll have to wait and see what they do.


 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

TRENDING NOW
Bite This: “Scientists” Uncover Link Between “Gun Violence” and Oral Hygiene

News  

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Bite This: “Scientists” Uncover Link Between “Gun Violence” and Oral Hygiene

Some of us remember our days as kids, when the adults in our lives would tell us before bedtime, “Brush your teeth, and say your prayers.”

Anti-gun Lawmakers Attempt to Ban Essential Second Amendment Arms

News  

Monday, May 5, 2025

Anti-gun Lawmakers Attempt to Ban Essential Second Amendment Arms

On April 30, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced the so-called “Assault Weapons Ban of 2025.” Picking up where his predecessor Dianne Feinstein left off, Schiff’s legislation would ban commonly-owned semi-automatic firearms, such as the AR-15.

Rocky Times for Gun Owners in the Rocky Mountain State

News  

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Rocky Times for Gun Owners in the Rocky Mountain State

As the Colorado legislative session closes, its 2025 edition will long be remembered and lamented as a historic assault on the Second Amendment.

Canada’s Gun Confiscation: Still Grasping for Solutions?

News  

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Canada’s Gun Confiscation: Still Grasping for Solutions?

Last year, we wrote about how several previous enforcement schemes for Canada’s Liberal government’s 2020 gun ban and confiscation appeared to have fizzled out. 

Not Your Father’s DOJ: Government Actively Backs Second Amendment in Litigation

News  

Monday, May 5, 2025

Not Your Father’s DOJ: Government Actively Backs Second Amendment in Litigation

It has, in theory, always been the sworn duty of the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to uphold the constitutional rights of American citizens and to affirmatively protect fundamental liberties. 

Trump Administration Revives Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Provision

News  

Friday, March 21, 2025

Trump Administration Revives Federal Firearm Rights Restoration Provision

On March 20, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) published an interim final rule entitled, Withdrawing the Attorney General’s Delegation of Authority. That bland title belies the historic nature of the measure, which is aimed at reviving ...

Grassroots Spotlight: Armería El Bunker, Puerto Rico

Take Action  

Monday, May 12, 2025

Grassroots Spotlight: Armería El Bunker, Puerto Rico

Ohio NRA-ILA FrontLines Activist Leader (FAL), Paul Walsh, recently went on vacation to Puerto Rico. While planning his trip, he realized there was a local gun store and began organizing an “NRA 2A Day” event on the island!

House Committee on Ways and Means Advances Legislation Involving Suppressors

News  

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

House Committee on Ways and Means Advances Legislation Involving Suppressors

Early this morning, The House Committee on Ways & Means, led by Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO-08) finished a markup of their section of the Reconciliation Bill. Included in this legislation was a provision which would ...

Rep. Sheri Biggs Introduces Legislation to Ensure Ability to Ship Firearms

News  

Thursday, May 1, 2025

Rep. Sheri Biggs Introduces Legislation to Ensure Ability to Ship Firearms

On April 28, 2025, Representative Sheri Biggs (R-SC-03) introduced the Protecting the Mailing of Firearms Act (H.R. 3033). This legislation will remove the arbitrary prohibition on the mailing of handguns and ammunition via the United States Postal ...

Arizona: Pro-Gun Bills Pass Legislature, Head to Governor Hobbs for Signature

Tuesday, May 6, 2025

Arizona: Pro-Gun Bills Pass Legislature, Head to Governor Hobbs for Signature

The Arizona Legislature recently passed several pro-gun bills that will now head to Governor Hobbs for her signature. Please use the TAKE ACTION button below to contact Governor Katie Hobbs and urge her to sign these ...

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.