Florida Republicans are up in arms over a bombshell report about Jacksonville’s Democrat Mayor.
The city may have been quietly keeping track of law-abiding gun owners behind the scenes.
And Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan triggered an uproar after this one shocking gun registry violation was exposed.
Jacksonville security contractors caught maintaining illegal gun registry
Action News Jax broke the explosive story Thursday that private security contractors working at Jacksonville’s City Hall have been forcing gun owners to register their personal information when entering public buildings.
The report revealed that security staff at City Hall, the Property Appraiser’s Office, and the Tax Collector’s office have demanded gun owners provide their names and other identifying information – creating what amounts to an illegal gun registry that violates Florida law.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier wasted no time blasting Jacksonville officials after the story broke.
“If true, this is a serious breach of Florida law by the City of Jacksonville,” Uthmeier warned. “Government gun registries are antithetical to the right of the people to keep and bear arms.”
The Attorney General made it clear his office is “looking into this allegation” and will “ensure those responsible are held accountable.”
Former mayor calls out Deegan administration’s “reckless” policy
Former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry, who left office just one day before Florida’s permitless carry law took effect, blasted his successor’s administration for the alleged infringement on Floridians’ Second Amendment rights.
“Let me be clear: Under Florida law, cities cannot track, list, or register lawful gun owners. Period,” Curry wrote Thursday. “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 didn’t hold back.
He called the allegations “reckless and deeply irresponsible” and warned that taxpayers could be on the hook for “costly litigation” if the reports prove true.
“If these reports are accurate, this administration’s actions represent a blatant violation of the law,” the former mayor added.
Deegan spokesperson dismisses critics without denying registry’s existence
When confronted with these serious allegations, Mayor Deegan’s spokesperson, Phil Perry, issued a statement that notably failed to deny the existence of the gun registry.
Instead, Perry attacked critics for making “irresponsible statements and tweets” that he claimed were “without knowing all the facts.”
Perry confirmed the city “has received and complied with a subpoena from the State Attorney’s Office,” but refused to comment further, citing cooperation with their review.
Florida’s permitless carry law, which took effect last year, allows Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit, though they must carry valid identification.Â
The law makes no provisions for registries or sign-up sheets.
The brewing scandal raises troubling questions about who authorized this apparent violation of state law, whether the city’s legal counsel was consulted, and why a Democratic mayor’s administration would implement a policy that so blatantly infringes on gun owners’ rights.
As the State Attorney’s investigation unfolds, Jacksonville taxpayers may find themselves footing the bill for what could become a costly legal battle over constitutional rights.
