Ryan Ray
A bill to outlaw discharging a firearm in more residential areas was advanced Thursday in the state Senate.
In Capitol-speak, the proposal was considered and rolled over for third reading, meaning it is set for a final vote before the chamber as soon as next week.
Senate Bill 130 by Naples Sen. Garrett Richter prohibits firing a gun in any residential neighborhood with a density of one person per acre or more.
During the bill’s hearing Thursday, lawmakers adopted an amendment to the measure deleting a reference to “celebratory shooting” present in the House version and earlier Senate language. Richter says the tweak simply means that activity — common in some places on New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July — remains illegal under state law.
Necessitating the bill were reports out of St. Petersburg and elsewhere around the state of people setting up makeshift gun ranges in their backyards.
Richter said he crafted the bill in consultation with the Florida Police Chiefs and National Rifle Association, both powerful Tallahassee lobbies who often disagree on gun-related matters.
The House companion to Richter’s bill, HB 41 by Rep. Neil Combee, is set for a second hearing before the full House. Both bills are likely to pass, sending the measure to the desk of Gov. Rick Scott for signing into law.
