As Florida hunkers down, Marion Hammer launches tone deaf attacks
You really didn't think Marion Hammer was retiring?

Marion Hammer
Now isn't the time, Mrs. Hammer.

The only thing worse than a sore loser is a sore winner.

Saturday afternoon, NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer sent out screed bashing Senate President Bill Galvano for backing a bill that would close the gun-show “loophole” for private gun sales, even though the 2020 Legislative Session is over and the bill’s 15 minutes in the spotlight was more than two months ago.

As restaurants are shutting down, beaches are closing and jobs are disappearing, she thought now was good time to gloat about a months-old victory. It was already clear timeliness isn’t one of her virtues.

Apparently, tact isn’t either.

She spewed 400 words of bile, denigrating Galvano and Sen. Tom Lee, who sponsored the bill, for having the audacity to file bills they believe in. She also resurrected the nonissue of Galvano accepting committee contributions from Everytown for Gun Safety.

She must’ve missed the memo that Michael Bloomberg isn’t running for President anymore, because she’s still weaponizing that, too.

Her diatribe also casts Donald Trump Jr. as some beacon of morality and wonders how the media could “forget an issue so intense” that it got the attention of the President’s son, someone who offers his unsolicited opinion on anything and everything.

You know what? No. Just no.

People buying guns from dingy flea market vendors may be important to Hammer, but the media and lawmakers have been kept busy by more pressing concerns.

Now isn’t the time for her to be sending out spurious attacks, especially against someone who spent the last days of his final Session as Senate President working to ensure the state had the resources to respond this crisis.

Hammer can take all the credit she wants for the bill dying, but trying to pit people against each other now speaks more to her tone deafness than the character of her targets.

Peter Schorsch

Peter Schorsch is the President of Extensive Enterprises and is the publisher of some of Florida’s most influential new media websites, including Florida Politics and Sunburn, the morning read of what’s hot in Florida politics. Schorsch is also the publisher of INFLUENCE Magazine. For several years, Peter's blog was ranked by the Washington Post as the best state-based blog in Florida. In addition to his publishing efforts, Peter is a political consultant to several of the state’s largest governmental affairs and public relations firms. Peter lives in St. Petersburg with his wife, Michelle, and their daughter, Ella.


17 comments

  • Amy Roberts

    March 21, 2020 at 8:02 pm

    I think those of her kind are going to be put out to pasture after all this is over.

    • Americana Kandoo

      March 22, 2020 at 10:59 am

      Amy, Marion P. Hammer is the anti-gunners worst nightmare. She doesn’t hang out with sheep. So you will never find her in a pasture. She is right where she needs to be — fully hunkered and bunkered. Thank God.

  • Billy seber Trump

    March 21, 2020 at 8:08 pm

    I support Marion Hammer 100%. She is a fighter for the 2nd Amendment, which is under attack from the left. Galvano is nothing more than. a tool of Bloomberg. He accepted $500,000 from Bloomberg, lets not forget that. And Tom Lee, whom I had much respect for, until he heard the bill that Galvano was pushing.

  • Glenda, the good one

    March 21, 2020 at 8:16 pm

    Go lick doorknobs in Wuhan you old witch

    • Glenda, the better one

      March 22, 2020 at 9:43 am

      Glenda, the good one – may be you ought to hop on your high horse, or kick start that broom, and ride away to Bergamo.

  • Andrew Nappi

    March 22, 2020 at 9:57 am

    The writer of this article is full of sour owl dookee. Even in this time of “crisis,” and perhaps especially at this time. those who would conspire against ALL of our inalienable rights should and must continue to be called out and denigrated. It is in these times our rights are at their greatest peril.

    • Jim McKinney

      March 23, 2020 at 1:10 pm

      When did owning an assault rifle become in inalienable right?.

      • Rich7553

        March 24, 2020 at 7:23 pm

        District of Columbia v. Heller (2008), reaffirmed per curiam in Caetano v. Massachusetts (2017) – The Court has held that “the Second Amendment extends, prima facie, to all instruments that constitute bearable arms, even those that were not in existence at the time of the founding,” District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U. S. 570, 582 (2008) , and that this “ Second Amendment right is fully applicable to the States,” McDonald v. Chicago, 561 U. S. 742, 750 (2010).

        And the AR-15 is not an assault rifle. Continuing the lie does not make it any more true.

  • GWP Concreteman

    March 22, 2020 at 10:08 am

    WOW, Thank GOD FREEDOM for “the free exercise there of; or abridging the freedom of SPEECH, or of the PRESS” (Amendment 1) and A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the PEOPLE to keep and bear ARMS, shall not be INFRINGED ( Amendment 2) were ratified effective December 15, 1791 (ORIGINAL 10). The AMENDMENTS to the Constitution of the United States of AMERICA define our country not lame political hit pieces…. Good thing this hit piece was written in the OPINION column and not passed off as a reliable unbiased news story. America will always generate PATRIOTS that serve and defend our constitution just like Ms Marion HAMMER has since the early 1970’s….. American Constitutional Patriotism is an inherited virtue that takes the type of courage Ms. HAMMER demonstrates when she STANDS TALL in TALLAHASSEE each session for Millions of Americans and Floridians. Semper Fi

  • Laurel A. Winwill

    March 22, 2020 at 10:53 am

    I am a Floridian, a widow and fully “hunkered down” to face this pandemic. The first thing I and many Floridians did to “hunker down” was make sure that I had essential supplies to protect myself, my home, my farm and my family. Because of the cyber attacks on the Truth such as this source and so many others who broker in fake news, perhaps the most essential of those supplies is the ammunition I searched for over four hours yesterday and finally secured which has become more scarce in our state than toilet paper, food or fuel. I deeply appreciate the information sent by our state’s NRA advocate to its membership, including myself. In a time that our physical health is threatened we do not need fake news and political attacks crafted to attack our mental well being added to the mix. That Peter is not just fake news. It’s terrorism. Rescind your statements and focus on spreading pandemic solutions. Start with the Truth. It’s not about guns, Peter. It’s about Freedom. One day I hope you joint the fight.

  • Ray Blacklidge

    March 23, 2020 at 11:37 am

    It’s funny attacking the 2nd amendment and Marion Hammer after all “As restaurants are shutting down, beaches are closing and jobs are disappearing, you thought now was good time?” It was already clear timeliness isn’t one of Peter Schorsh’s virtues.

    It’s funny how many Floridians, many who have never owned a gun before, sudden greatly appreciate the 2nd amendment and are buying guns and ammo at such a high rate that Florida stores cannot keep up with the demand.

    You know what? No. Just no to this ridiculous article. The so called loop hole isn’t even a loophole. All parties still fill out the proper forms.

    In fact to buy a gun from a private seller at a gun show:
    In order to purchase a firearm in Florida you will need a valid driver’s license or gov’t issued picture ID, be a Florida resident and be at least 21 years of age.

    If you do not have a valid Florida ID, you must have a valid gov’t issued picture ID and gov’t issued proof that you are a Florida resident. For example, a vehicle registration, voter’s registration card, Property Tax Record or a hunting/fishing license.

    If you are not a Florida resident, the firearm purchased may be shipped to a licensed dealer where permitted by state laws. **Some exceptions may apply to long guns.

    If you are not a U.S. Citizen, you must bring your Resident Alien Card, as well as, your Florida ID or a valid Visa, hunting license and your Florida ID.
    All individuals MUST pass a background check to take possession of a purchased firearm.

    If you have a Florida Concealed Weapon permit you will be permitted to take the firearm with you same day as purchased. Otherwise, you will be required to wait 3-5 business days, excluding weekends and federal holidays, before picking up the firearm from a licensed dealer in the area. **Wait times vary by county.

    **ALL DOCUMENTATION MUST BE ORIGINALS AND NOT EXPIRED**

    Enough said,

  • Mk Ultra

    March 23, 2020 at 11:39 am

    Who gives a fuck.

    • Rich7553

      March 24, 2020 at 7:25 pm

      We do.

  • Ray Blacklidge

    March 23, 2020 at 11:39 am

    It’s funny attacking the 2nd amendment and Marion Hammer after all “As restaurants are shutting down, beaches are closing and jobs are disappearing, you thought now was good time to attack her?” It was already clear timeliness isn’t one of Peter Schorsh’s virtues.

    It’s funny how many Floridians, many who have never owned a gun before, sudden greatly appreciate the 2nd amendment and are buying guns and ammo at such a high rate that Florida stores cannot keep up with the demand.

    You know what? No. Just no to this ridiculous article. The so called loop hole isn’t even a loophole. All parties still fill out the proper forms.

    In fact to buy a gun from a private seller at a gun show:
    In order to purchase a firearm in Florida you will need a valid driver’s license or gov’t issued picture ID, be a Florida resident and be at least 21 years of age.

    If you do not have a valid Florida ID, you must have a valid gov’t issued picture ID and gov’t issued proof that you are a Florida resident. For example, a vehicle registration, voter’s registration card, Property Tax Record or a hunting/fishing license.

    If you are not a Florida resident, the firearm purchased may be shipped to a licensed dealer where permitted by state laws. **Some exceptions may apply to long guns.

    If you are not a U.S. Citizen, you must bring your Resident Alien Card, as well as, your Florida ID or a valid Visa, hunting license and your Florida ID.
    All individuals MUST pass a background check to take possession of a purchased firearm.

    If you have a Florida Concealed Weapon permit you will be permitted to take the firearm with you same day as purchased. Otherwise, you will be required to wait 3-5 business days, excluding weekends and federal holidays, before picking up the firearm from a licensed dealer in the area. **Wait times vary by county.

    **ALL DOCUMENTATION MUST BE ORIGINALS AND NOT EXPIRED**

    Enough said,

  • HAMMER HAMMER!

    March 23, 2020 at 12:24 pm

    Will somebody PUHLEEZE pick up that old bag of trash lying along the roadway and take it to the dump? The garbage inside STINKS! (Thank you!)

    • Rich7553

      March 24, 2020 at 7:27 pm

      Are your arms broke, hero?

  • Ken Willey

    March 23, 2020 at 4:29 pm

    The NRA boogeyman rears its head again. You would think Ms Hammer is responsible for everything evil in Tallahassee. The truth is that citizens called their legislators, Florida Carry had around 50 members visit the capital, the Republican Liberty Caucus went to the capital, Florida Gun Rights delivered thousands of petitions to the capital, the Libertarian Party of Florida delivered a resolution passed by their Executive Committee to the capital. I’m pretty sure each of these groups reminded their legislators that a certain national gun control group financed by a certain billionaire with a long history of gun control activism had given Senator Galvano a half million dollars through his Associated Political Committee. Quit scapegoating one person like she holds an unnatural power over the legislature.

Comments are closed.


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