Gun registry showdown planned in Jacksonville City Council committee, as Donna Deegan blames Lenny Curry

Jacksonville’s City Hall will see a gun battle of sorts Monday afternoon, when the City Council Rules Committee probes allegations that the city is keeping a registry of people lawfully carrying guns into city buildings.

Rules Chair Nick Howland has requested the Mayor’s Office, the Office of General Counsel and the Public Works Department “discuss the illegal firearm registry that has allegedly been maintained for nearly two years at both City Hall and the Yates Building.”

Howland was the first public official to call attention to the registry, which was supposedly maintained by a private security company contracted by the city after July 1, 2023. That was the date when a state law protecting permitless carry came into effect, and the date when Mayor Donna Deegan took office.

A Deegan spokesperson said speculation about the registry was “irresponsible” and did not have “all the facts” on Thursday evening, before blaming former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry on Friday.

“The policy in question was created and written before Mayor Deegan took office. In light of the issue that has been raised, we are undergoing a review of all policy directives, particularly those from the previous administration that were left for us on their way out. Mayor Deegan and the leadership of her administration fully support constitutionally protected rights.”

The matter has stoked comments from the state’s Attorney General.

“If true, this is a serious breach of Florida law by the City of Jacksonville,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “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.”

Curry likewise has blasted the administration, saying the reports have “shattered public trust” and are “deeply concerning and should send shockwaves through City Hall.” He did not immediately respond to a request for comment on if his administration instituted the policy.

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.