JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Republican Celebration of Florida Chairman Evan Energy blasted Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan for a “blatant disregard for the legislation” amid accusations that her administration maintained an “unlawful gun registry.”
“It ought to be no shock to anybody that liberal Donna Deegan is now beneath investigation for trampling the Second Modification,” Energy mentioned. “I be a part of Florida Legal professional Normal James Uthmeier, former Mayor Lenny Curry and others in calling out this direct assault on the rights of law-abiding residents.”
Deegan’s administration is beneath state investigation and has been subpoenaed over an alleged “unlawful firearm registry” of lawful gun carriers at Metropolis Corridor and the Yates Constructing, first reported by Motion Information Jax reporter Jake Stofan.
“Let me be clear: This assault on our rights won’t stand,” Energy mentioned. “These liable for this reckless, lawless habits have to be held accountable — not simply within the courtroom, however within the court docket of public opinion.”
Throughout an interview with Drew Steele on Florida’s Voice Radio on Friday, Metropolis Councilman Nick Howland mentioned the knowledge popping out of Metropolis Corridor is “chilling,” and he believes taxpayers might doubtlessly be “on the hook for hundreds of thousands of {dollars} in lawsuits.”
Howland mentioned that since July 2023, when Deegan took workplace, the names and data, together with firearm particulars–of anybody coming into Metropolis Corridor or the Yates Constructing whereas carrying a firearm or weapon have to be documented. The Yates Constructing the property appraiser and the tax collector places of work.
The councilman mentioned that coverage violate state legislation, noting Florida is a “no registry state.”
“Florida Statutes 790.335 clearly prohibit the creation or upkeep of any firearm registry, with each prison and civil penalties in place for violators,” Energy mentioned. “Floridians deserve leaders who defend their freedoms, not radical liberals like Donna Deegan who suppose they’re above the legislation.”
Final week, Legal professional Normal James Uthmeier mentioned his workplace is “wanting into this allegation,” and “will keep up a correspondence with native officers to make sure these accountable are held accountable.”
“If true, this can be a critical breach of Florida legislation by the Metropolis of Jacksonville,” Uthmeier mentioned. “Authorities gun registries are antithetical to the correct of the individuals to maintain and bear arms.”
Throughout a Monday Guidelines Committee assembly, on the request of Chairman Howland, members questioned town’s common counsel, Michael Fackler, who knowledgeable the council that Jacksonville has retained exterior counsel to signify town through the investigation by the State Legal professional’s Workplace.
Councilman Ron Salem mentioned he believes “it’s very applicable” for the committee to analyze the matter–except they’re contacted by an company requesting in any other case.
Following the assembly, a Florida state lawyer formally requested that the council not transfer ahead with assembling an investigative physique.
“I commend the state lawyer for treating this doubtlessly prison matter with the seriousness it deserves and can do every little thing I can to make sure legislation enforcement has the house and help it must conduct an intensive investigation into the Deegan administration’s firearm registry,” Councilman Nick Howland mentioned in a press release to Florida’s Voice. “Jacksonville deserves the reality.”
Florida’s Voice contacted the mayor’s workplace for a response to Energy’s feedback and has not but acquired a reply. This text will probably be up to date if and when a response is obtained.
