Democrat mayors are becoming more brazen in their attacks on the Second Amendment.
One Florida mayor just crossed a dangerous line.
And a Democrat Mayor was caught red-handed creating one illegal list that has gun owners furious.
Jacksonville mayor under investigation for illegal gun registry
Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s administration is now under state investigation after being caught maintaining what officials are calling an illegal registry of lawful gun owners.
The bombshell revelation first came to light when Action News Jax reporter Jake Stofan broke the story that sent shockwaves through Florida’s political landscape.
According to Jacksonville City Councilman Nick Howland, since July of 2023, when Deegan took office, her administration has been documenting the names and personal information – including firearm details – of anyone entering City Hall or the Yates Building while lawfully carrying a weapon.
“This is chilling—and it should outrage every law-abiding Floridian,” Howland said. “The Deegan Administration has kept a registry of individuals who lawfully carry personal firearms into City Hall—a blatant violation of state law and likely the Constitution.”
State officials blast Deegan’s “assault on rights”
Republican Party of Florida Chairman Evan Power didn’t mince words about what this secret gun list represents.
“It should be no surprise to anyone that liberal Donna Deegan is now under investigation for trampling the Second Amendment,” Power said. “I join Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, former Mayor Lenny Curry and others in calling out this direct assault on the rights of law-abiding citizens.”
“Let me be clear: This attack on our rights will not stand,” Power continued. “Those responsible for this reckless, lawless behavior must be held accountable — not just in the courtroom, but in the court of public opinion.”
Power also pointed out that “Florida Statutes 790.335 clearly prohibits the creation or maintenance of any firearm registry, with both criminal and civil penalties in place for violators. Floridians deserve leaders who protect their freedoms, not radical liberals like Donna Deegan who think they’re above the law.”
Attorney General James Uthmeier confirmed his office is “looking into this allegation” and “will be in contact with local officials to ensure those responsible are held accountable.”
“If true, this is a serious breach of Florida law by the City of Jacksonville,” Uthmeier stated. “Government gun registries are antithetical to the right of the people to keep and bear arms.”
Deegan administration scrambling as investigation intensifies
In a sign of how serious the situation has become, Michael Fackler, the city’s general counsel, informed the city council that Jacksonville has retained outside counsel to represent the city during the investigation by the State Attorney’s Office.
The mayor’s office issued a statement in response to the allegations.
“In light of the issue that has been raised, we are undergoing a review of all policy directives, particularly those from the previous administration that were left for us on their way out,” the response read. “Mayor Deegan and the leadership of her administration fully support constitutionally protected rights. As we stated yesterday, the City of Jacksonville has received and complied with a subpoena from the State Attorney’s Office. Out of respect and in full cooperation with their review, we do not have further comment at this time.”
But former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry wasn’t having any of it, firing back with a blistering statement.
“Let me be clear: Under Florida law, cities cannot track, list, or register lawful gun owners. Period. If the current administration has been keeping tabs on who carries a firearm into City Hall, they’ve not only crossed a legal line — they’ve shattered public trust,” Curry said.
He added that “as Mayor, I stood firm in defense of the Second Amendment. We followed the law. We respected constitutional rights. What’s happening now is reckless and deeply irresponsible.”
Taxpayers could face millions in penalties
The consequences for Deegan’s administration – and Jacksonville taxpayers – could be severe.
Councilman Howland warned that taxpayers could potentially be “on the hook for millions of dollars in lawsuits” from citizens whose Second Amendment rights were violated by being placed on this registry.
“We’re talking about civil penalties, administrative actions, criminal penalties,” Howland explained. “And in the law, it actually says up to $5 million for an individual or a government office that keeps a registry like this.”
Howland noted this isn’t the first time Deegan has shown disregard for the law, pointing to her controversial removal of a Confederate monument at Springfield Park – an action he says violated local law by circumventing the city council’s authority.
“Whether you agree that Confederate monuments should be up in a southern city like Jacksonville or not, she did that in violation of local law,” the councilman said. “It was the council’s decision to make, and this mayor went ahead and did it.”
The state attorney’s investigation is ongoing, with subpoenas already being issued.
The city council is also seeking answers, though the state attorney has formally requested that they not assemble an investigative body while the criminal investigation proceeds.
