A.G. Gancarski
Republicans are protesting reports that Jacksonville may have violated a state permitless carry law by having a private security company keep a registry of people carrying guns into city buildings.
But a spokesperson for Mayor Donna Deegan, who is alleged to have imposed the policy that violates the rights of gun owners if it is as reported, says the critics are off base.
“There are a lot of irresponsible statements and tweets being issued tonight without knowing all the facts. The City of Jacksonville has received and complied with a subpoena from the State Attorney’s Office. Out of respect and in full cooperation with their review, we won’t be commenting further at this time,” said Phil Perry.
His statement comes after Florida’s top cop and a former Mayor have raised concerns.
“If true, this is a serious breach of Florida law by the City of Jacksonville. Government gun registries are antithetical to the right of the people to keep and bear arms. My office is looking into this allegation, and we will be in contact with local officials to ensure those responsible are held accountable,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier.
Former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry left office the day before the law took effect, and he’s also not happy, laying the issue at the feet of his successor, Donna Deegan.
“The reporting that the State Attorney’s Office has issued subpoenas in connection with an alleged firearm registry maintained by the current administration is deeply concerning and should send shockwaves through City Hall,” Curry wrote Thursday, calling the allegations “reckless and deeply irresponsible.”
“Let me be clear: Under Florida law, cities cannot track, list, or register lawful gun owners. Period. 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,” he added. “If these reports are accurate, this administration’s actions represent a blatant violation of the law — one that opens the door to serious legal consequences and exposes taxpayers to costly litigation.”
The story was broken Thursday by Action News Jax reporter Jake Stofan, who revealed the private security working at City Hall, the Property Appraiser’s Office, and the Tax Collector’s office required gun owners to provide their names and other personal identifying information when bringing firearms to buildings.
The law allows Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a government-issued permit, though they must carry valid identification while doing so. It makes no provisions for registries or sign-up sheets.
Questions abound over who gave the directive, what legal authority they had, and whether they consulted the Office of General Counsel (the city’s legal authority) before doing so.
12 comments
MH/Duuuval
May 1, 2025 at 7:39 pm
Or, dumbass can leave their firearm elsewhere.
What members of the public wants firearms in public buildings? The Legislature won’t allow firearms in the door and all public building have security.
SuzyQ
May 1, 2025 at 8:15 pm
Enjoy your one-term woke mayor while she lasts. She won’t win re-election, provided she still has the nerve to seek a second term.
Rich7553
May 1, 2025 at 10:20 pm
Incorrect. Only the meetings of the legislature and its committees are prohibited places for carry. It is not prohibited to carry in the FL capitol building itself, and no log is kept.
MH/Duuuval
May 2, 2025 at 6:06 pm
Yes, and I assumed you would check in and clarify my comment. My intent was to show the hypocrisy of MAGAs and 2Aers in the Legislature.
I’m curious: How are firearms screened for in places where official meetings are taking place, either the full body or committees?
Stephen Parris
May 2, 2025 at 8:52 am
The ones who know their personal safety is up to them and not the police. The ones who value their rights.
the Truth
May 1, 2025 at 7:53 pm
just another one of the many reasons, liberal Donna is a one term mayor
SuzyQ
May 1, 2025 at 8:12 pm
She is indeed.
MH/Duuuval
May 2, 2025 at 6:08 pm
Curry took down your monument in the former Hemming plaza.` That wasn’t liberal, of course.
the Truth
May 3, 2025 at 9:10 am
yes he did Curry was a piece of s it,,, and Deegan took down the women monument, she is a one term mayor
MH/Duuuval
May 5, 2025 at 2:02 pm
Per Lynyrd Skynyrd: Boo, boo, boo!
Foghorn Leghorn
May 1, 2025 at 9:26 pm
Bye bye Donna.
MH/Duuuval
May 3, 2025 at 10:03 am
You exiting stage right to Putin’s Russia?
Comments are closed.