JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville Mayor Donna Deegan’s administration is below state investigation and has been subpoenaed over an alleged “unlawful firearm registry” of lawful gun carriers at metropolis corridor, which Councilman Nick Howland known as “chilling.”
In an interview with Drew Steele on Florida’s Voice Radio on Friday, the councilman mentioned the knowledge popping out of metropolis corridor is “chilling” and he believes taxpayers could also be probably “on the hook for thousands and thousands of {dollars} in lawsuits.”
“This administration has clearly damaged the legislation, and the state lawyer has now launched subpoenas and there’s an open investigation,” Howland mentioned.
The story was first reported by Motion Information Jax Reporter Jake Stofan on Thursday.
WATCH: Jacksonville Metropolis Councilman @NickHowland15 offers perception into an investigation launched towards the administration of the Democratic Mayor of Jacksonville for unlawfully registering people who’re lawfully carrying firearms pic.twitter.com/9cR4Oo327t
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) Might 2, 2025
Howland mentioned that since July 2023, when Deegan took workplace, the names and data, together with firearm data, of anybody getting into metropolis corridor or the Yates constructing, which hosts the property appraiser and the tax collector, should be documented if the person is to hold a weapon inside that constructing.
Howland mentioned that violates a state statute and Florida is a “no registry state.”
Deegan’s workplace gave Florida’s Voice the next touch upon Friday:
“In gentle of the problem that has been raised, we’re present process a evaluation of all coverage directives, notably these from the earlier administration that have been left for us on their means out.
Mayor Deegan and the management of her administration absolutely help constitutionally protected rights.
As we acknowledged yesterday, the Metropolis of Jacksonville has obtained and complied with a subpoena from the State Lawyer’s Workplace. Out of respect and in full cooperation with their evaluation, we do not need additional remark at the moment.”
The councilman mentioned the administration and the workplace of basic counsel discovered about this data on April 21. Howland mentioned he discovered on April 29 and determined “folks must know for transparency functions” after he did some investigating and talked to “as many of us” who have been keen to speak.
“However what we don’t know proper now’s who gave the directive to try this?” Howland mentioned. “Was it a contract administrator within the buildings division, or does it go as excessive up because the mayor? That’s what the state lawyer investigation, I perceive, goes to attempt to discover out. That’s what I wish to know, and various my colleagues on council as properly.”
“That is chilling—and it ought to outrage each law-abiding Floridian,” Howland mentioned on Monday.
“The Deegan Administration has stored a registry of people who lawfully carry private firearms into Metropolis Corridor—a blatant violation of state legislation and certain the Structure. Florida is a ‘no registry’ state for a cause. Violating that legislation carries steep penalties,” he mentioned.
That is chilling—and it ought to outrage each law-abiding Floridian.
The Deegan Administration has stored a registry of people who lawfully carry private firearms into Metropolis Corridor—a blatant violation of state legislation and certain the Structure. Florida is a “no registry” state for… https://t.co/M1ZMx7rxQm
— Nick Howland (@NickHowland15) Might 1, 2025
Former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry issued a press release confirming the subpoenas and investigation, calling the problem “deeply regarding” and mentioned it “ought to ship shockwaves via Metropolis Corridor.”
“Let me be clear: Underneath Florida legislation, cities can’t observe, listing, or register lawful gun homeowners. Interval. If the present administration has been maintaining tabs on who carries a firearm into Metropolis Corridor, they’ve not solely crossed a authorized line — they’ve shattered public belief. If these reviews are correct, this administration’s actions symbolize a blatant violation of the legislation — one which opens the door to severe authorized penalties and exposes taxpayers to pricey litigation,” the previous mayor mentioned. “As Mayor, I stood agency in protection of the Second Modification. We adopted the legislation. We revered constitutional rights. What’s taking place now’s reckless and deeply irresponsible,” Curry mentioned.
Howland mentioned whereas the state lawyer has the continued investigation of the mayor’s administration concerning the alleged firearm registry, metropolis council goes to ask “as many questions” and acquire “as many solutions” as they’ll.
Howland mentioned the town can also be now open to potential lawsuits for all the particular person’s names which were recorded on the registry.
He mentioned violation of this state legislation “carries fairly extreme fines and penalties.”
“We’re speaking about civil penalties, administrative actions, felony penalties,” Howland mentioned. “And within the legislation, it truly says as much as $5 million for a person or a authorities workplace that retains a registry like this.”
Howland mentioned he “wouldn’t be shocked if what we see here’s a keen and willful violation of state legislation” as a result of Deegan has “proven a willingness to sidestep the legislation.”
He pointed to when Deegan confronted backlash after a discreet removing of a Accomplice monument at Springfield Park by Deegan’s administration, which occurred early within the morning Dec. 27.
“Whether or not you agree that Accomplice monuments must be up in a southern metropolis like Jacksonville or not, she did that in violation of native legislation,” the councilman mentioned. “It was the council’s choice to make, and this mayor went forward and did it.”
The councilman additionally pointed to a state of affairs the place he mentioned Deegan “sidestepped” the legislation concerning waste hauler contracts negotiations within the metropolis, which was later litigated.
Howland mentioned “as soon as once more,” this present situation is a “horrible choice popping out of the administration for the town of Jacksonville.”
