Evan Power condemns Donna Deegan, Jacksonville gun registry

The Chair of the Republican Party of Florida (RPOF) is chiming in about a controversial gun registry in Jacksonville city buildings from July 2023 until last month.

And he blames the city’s Democratic Mayor.

“It should be no surprise to anyone that liberal Donna Deegan is now under investigation for trampling the Second Amendment,” said RPOF Chair Evan Power. “I join with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, former Mayor Lenny Curry, and others in calling out this direct assault on the rights of law-abiding citizens.”

Deegan’s team blames Curry, arguing that he is culpable because the policy was drafted on the last day of his second term in office.

However, the policy appears to have been finalized after her swearing in on July 1, 2023, and maintained for well over a year, raising questions about who knew what when and why they didn’t do anything about the list of people bringing guns to City Hall and the Yates Building.

“Let me be clear: this attack on our rights will not stand. Those responsible for this reckless, lawless behavior must be held accountable — not just in the courtroom, but in the court of public opinion,” Power said.

“Florida Statutes 790.335 clearly prohibit the creation or maintenance of any firearm registry, with both criminal and civil penalties in place for violators. Floridians deserve leaders who protect their freedoms, not radical liberals like Donna Deegan who think they’re above the law.”

The statute in question precludes “lists, indexes, or registries of firearms or firearms owners” and says violations of such are third-degree felonies.

Furthermore, the policy dictates that “the governmental entity, or the designee of such governmental entity, in whose service or employ a list, record, or registry was compiled in violation of this section may be assessed a fine of not more than $5 million, if the court determines that the evidence shows that the list, record, or registry was compiled or maintained with the knowledge or complicity of the management of the governmental entity.”

The Attorney General can bring civil action to collect that fine.

The Deegan administration disclaims responsibility, saying “the policy was created and written in the waning days of the Curry Administration” and “the Deegan Administration was not made aware of the policy until April 21, 2025.”

The policy has been rescinded.