Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Mitch PerryNovember 18, 2015

The House Justice Appropriations Subcommittee in the Florida Legislature on Wednesday barely passed a controversial bill that would allow people with a concealed weapons and firearms license to carry a gun openly. House Bill 163 is being sponsored in the House by Fort Walton Beach Republican Matt Gaetz. It passed with Pinellas County Republicans Chris […]

Jim RosicaAugust 27, 2015

For the third time, state Sen. Aaron Bean has introduced legislation to create a statewide “cold case task force” to pare down the thousands of unsolved murders in Florida. But the head of an organization of victims’ survivors says he’s concerned about law enforcement again balking at the cost of such a measure. For instance, […]

Phil AmmannJuly 15, 2015

One of the nation’s largest state sheriff associations has named its leadership for the coming year. The Florida Sheriffs Association elected Alachua County Sheriff Sadie Darnell its new president, only the second woman to fill the role. Darnell will preside over the association, the staff and board of directors to guide the efforts and direction of […]

Phil AmmannJuly 14, 2015

Florida’s leading law enforcement association recognized 10 legislators this week for providing significant advancements in 2015 to the state’s overall public safety. Florida Sheriffs Association is a for-profit corporation representing Florida Sheriffs, as well as nearly 3,500 business leaders and 70,000 Floridians. The association released its annual list of Legislative Champions on Monday night during the group’s Summer Conference […]

Mitch PerryApril 9, 2015

Legislation that would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a permit during certain emergency situations passed in the Florida House on Thursdaty, and will soon go to Gov. Rick Scott‘s desk for him to sign. Sponsored by Fort Myers Republican REep. Heather Fitzenhagan as HB 493, SB 290 is similar but with tweaks from […]

Associated PressMarch 16, 2015

A bill allowing gun owners without concealed weapon permits to take their guns along during emergency evacuations appears to have a good chance of passing this year. SB 822 will go to the floor of the Florida Senate on Tuesday after getting approval in all three of its required committee stops. A Senate committee killed […]

Ryan RayMarch 4, 2015

A matching pair of proposals that would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a permit during certain emergency situations passed committees in both legislative chambers on Wednesday. First up was Fort Myers Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen‘s HB 493, which passed the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee by a vote of 9 to 2, with Democratic Reps. Clovis Watson and Randolph Bracy dissenting. […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 10, 2015

Last month St. Petersburg-based state Senator Jeff Brandes thrilled advocates for medical marijuana in Florida with a legislative proposal that he introduced for consideration for the 2015 session. It came just months after Floridians voted by nearly 58 percent margin for a medical marijuana constitutional amendment, a substantial mandate, but short of the 60 percent […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 3, 2015

What a difference a week makes. Last week Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri made headlines when he issued tentative support for state Sen. Jeff Brandes legislation that would legalize medical marijuana in Florida. That was noteworthy, as the sheriff had been a leading critic of Amendment 2, the constitutional amendment to legalize medical pot that received nearly […]

Phil AmmannJanuary 8, 2015

State Sen. Jeff Brandes has again filed a bill which would allow Floridians to carry concealed weapons without a license during mandatory evacuations. After a contentious debate led to the failure of a similar proposal last year, the St. Petersburg Republican filed the bill (SB 290) on Thursday that revives the issue. Among critics of the […]

Tag: Florida Sheriffs Association

Open carry weapons bill advances in House

Bill would create “cold case task force” for unsolved killings

Florida Sheriffs Association picks new president, board leadership

Florida Sheriffs Association picks Legislative Champions for 2015

Bill allowing concealed carry during emergencies on way to governor

Bill on guns, emergency evacuations goes to Senate floor

Revised Brandes-Fitzenhagen gun bill disarms former opponents

Florida House members introduce non-smokeable medical marijuana bill

Florida Sheriffs Association opposes Jeff Brandes medical pot bill

Jeff Brandes refiles controversial gun bill from 2014