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
U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

News  

Second Amendment  

Thursday, May 22, 2025

U.S. House Passes Reconciliation Bill, Removing Suppressors from the National Firearms Act

Earlier today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R.1 the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which included Section 2 of the Hearing Protection Act, completely removing suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA).

U.S. Representative Suggests TRIPLING ($600) Suppressor Tax!

News  

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

U.S. Representative Suggests TRIPLING ($600) Suppressor Tax!

Excellent news for gun owners came last week when the U.S. House of Representatives passed President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes the complete removal of suppressors from the National Firearms Act (NFA). 

Florida: Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation to Remove 2A Restrictions During Emergencies

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Florida: Governor DeSantis Signs Legislation to Remove 2A Restrictions During Emergencies

Yesterday, May 28, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 6025 into law protecting our Second Amendment Rights during a state of emergency. The new law became effective upon the governor's signature.  

Illinois: Gun Control Bill Advances to House Floor

Wednesday, May 28, 2025

Illinois: Gun Control Bill Advances to House Floor

On Wednesday, the House Gun Violence Prevention Committee voted to advance Senate Bill 8, a sweeping gun control measure that expands mandatory firearm storage requirements and drastically increases penalties for law-abiding gun owners. SB 8 ...

Illinois: Legislature Advances Sweeping Gun Control

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Illinois: Legislature Advances Sweeping Gun Control

Yesterday, the Illinois House passed House Bill 850, legislation that drastically alters the definition of “clear and present danger” under the FOID and Concealed Carry License (CCL) framework. This bill now moves to the Senate ...

ATF Invites FFLs Zeroed Out Under Biden-Harris to Reapply

News  

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

ATF Invites FFLs Zeroed Out Under Biden-Harris to Reapply

Among all the infringements of the Second Amendment perpetrated by the Biden-Harris regime, one of the most punitive and consequential was ATF’s “zero tolerance” enforcement policy for Federal Firearms Licensees (FFLs). 

Not Your Father’s ATF: Agency Pledges Reform, Distances Itself from Biden-Harris Era

News  

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Not Your Father’s ATF: Agency Pledges Reform, Distances Itself from Biden-Harris Era

A headline on the website of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives appeared late in the day on May 21: “ATF Launches New Era of Reform.” According to the accompanying announcement:

Texas: Pro-Gun Legislation Heading to the Governor's Desk!

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Texas: Pro-Gun Legislation Heading to the Governor's Desk!

This week, the Texas House and Senate passed several important pro-Second Amendment bills. These bills had previously passed their respective bodies and now head to Governor Abbott’s desk for his consideration.  

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 ...

House Judiciary Committee Prepares to Advance Key Second Amendment Legislation

News  

Friday, March 21, 2025

House Judiciary Committee Prepares to Advance Key Second Amendment Legislation

The House Judiciary Committee, led by Chairman Jim Jordan (R-OH-04), is planning to hold a legislative markup on March 25, 2025 at 10 am EST.  The Committee will be considering several bills during this markup, two ...

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.