Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Associated PressFebruary 21, 2017

Florida Republicans are more determined than ever to pass bills expanding gun rights in the wake of the deadly Pulse nightclub and Fort Lauderdale airport shootings. They say law-abiding gun owners should be allowed to take their weapons to airports, government meetings and state universities, and would be in a better position to protect themselves […]

Michael MolineDecember 8, 2016

Sen. Rob Bradley reintroduced legislation Thursday clarifying that prosecutors have the burden of proving that shootings are unjustified under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law. The Republican from Fleming Island said the measure would overturn the Florida Supreme Court ruling in Bretherick v. Florida. In that 2015 opinion, a 5-2 court said people charged in shootings must […]

Jim RosicaSeptember 22, 2016

The Florida Supreme Court has ruled that carrying a replica of an antique gun doesn’t violate the state’s prohibition on felons possessing firearms. The court on Thursday ruled 5-2 that Christopher D. Weeks’ “conviction for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon” should be reversed and his sentence of three years’ probation vacated. Notably, […]

Staff ReportsAugust 8, 2016

A firearms-rights organization is appealing a trial judge’s ruling involving a Florida State University game day guide. Florida Carry filed a notice of appeal in the 1st District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee. The university printed and distributed a college football pamphlet last year to be distributed before games that said campus visitors were not […]

Peter SchorschJune 20, 2016

At first blush, Sen. Darren Soto joining other Orlando-area lawmakers in calling for a Special Session to implement new restrictions on firearms purchases make perfect sense. After all, he’s a young Democrat from an urban Central Florida district who occasionally makes liberal noises when it comes to LGBT rights, women’s access to health care, and other […]

Ryan RayJune 16, 2016

U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham may straddle the fence on some issues dear to progressives, but she came out on Thursday with a full-throated endorsement of Senate Democrats’ plan to notify the FBI when a suspected terrorist buys a firearm. The bill’s main Senate sponsor is Florida’s senior Sen. Bill Nelson, who introduced the bill Wednesday in response to […]

Bob SparksFebruary 11, 2016

Tuesday night’s New Hampshire primary election revealed the mood of the electorate of that small state. Polls show that in many of the remaining primary and caucus states, voters in both parties are unhappy with the process of government. Amendments, show votes, executive orders and other process maneuvers have worn thin. The Florida Legislature offers […]

Drew WilsonDecember 14, 2015

Pompano Beach Democratic Rep. Gwyndolen Clarke-Reed filed a bill Friday that would change some of the rules on concealed weapons permits in Florida. HB 935 would require concealed weapons permit holders to tell first responders they have a concealed weapon and present their license and identification. Current law doesn’t require permit holders to tell police they are carrying […]

Ryan RayNovember 4, 2015

A bill to allow guns on Florida’s college campuses passed a House panel on higher education Wednesday morning, amid a heated debate on the role of firearms in public spaces. The bill passed easily through the House Higher Education & Workforce Subcommittee, though former police officer and Democratic Rep. Dave Kerner spoke against the bill and joined impassioned […]

Ryan RayOctober 13, 2015

Rep. Greg Steube called a columnist’s bluff on Tuesday, filing a bill to allow guns into public hearings at the Florida Capitol. Scott Maxwell of the Orlando Sentinel wrote last week that Florida lawmakers were “gun-shy cowards” for proposing to allow guns on college campuses, but not inside the Legislature. “Republican House members have advanced two gun bills: one […]

Tag: gun rights
Image via North Carolina House Republican caucus

Florida looks to expand gun rights in wake of Pulse shooting

Rob Bradley revives bill shifting Stand Your Ground burden to prosecutors

Replicas of antique guns don’t break felons-in-possession law, court says

Gun group appeals ‘Game Day guide’ case

Another day, another position on guns for Darren Soto

Gwen Graham co-sponsoring Bill Nelson’s gun purchase oversight bill

Bob Sparks: Hear the gun bills, don’t restrict debate

Broward Democrat files gun safety bill

“Campus carry” bill approved by House higher ed panel

Greg Steube files bill to allow guns into legislative meetings