Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Janelle Irwin TaylorMarch 18, 2015

A controversial gun bill filed by St. Petersburg Republican Sen. Jeff Brandes has advanced in the Senate. Senate Bill 290 would allow people who don’t have concealed carry permits in Florida to carry firearms on their person during a mandatory evacuation. A similar bill died in the Senate this past year. Brandes made some changes to his […]

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. […]

Diane RobertsMarch 2, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – Some Florida towns have a strawberry festival; some have a seafood festival or a jazz festival or even a frog leg festival. Here in Florida’s capital, we put on an annual Festival of Bad Ideas. Its other name is the Legislative session. Come spring, legislators swarm, careening madly down our narrow, pretty […]

Diane RobertsMarch 2, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – Some Florida towns have a strawberry festival; some have a seafood festival or a jazz festival or even a frog leg festival. Here in Florida’s capital, we put on an annual Festival of Bad Ideas. Its other name is the Legislative session. Come spring, legislators swarm, careening madly down our narrow, pretty […]

Diane RobertsMarch 2, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – Some Florida towns have a strawberry festival; some have a seafood festival or a jazz festival or even a frog leg festival. Here in Florida’s capital, we put on an annual Festival of Bad Ideas. Its other name is the Legislative session. Come spring, legislators swarm, careening madly down our narrow, pretty […]

Adam WeinsteinFebruary 27, 2015

For once, Florida legislators can vote for a gun bill that isn’t totally crazy. But most of them probably won’t. The state has been an embarrassingly irresponsible free-fire zone for years, having led all comers in licensing unqualified gun-toters, giving them leave to shoot fellow citizens with no accountability, and letting them rain hot lead […]

Adam WeinsteinFebruary 26, 2015

For once, Florida legislators can vote for a gun bill that isn’t totally crazy. But most of them probably won’t. The state has been an embarrassingly irresponsible free-fire zone for years, having led all comers in licensing unqualified gun-toters, giving them leave to shoot fellow citizens with no accountability and letting them rain hot lead […]

Phil AmmannDecember 15, 2014

Palm Coast Republican Paul Renner received the endorsement today from the National Rifle Association and Unified Sportsmen of Florida in the special GOP primary for Florida House District 24. Renner, a Jacksonville native, moved to Flagler County after losing the GOP primary – by only two votes — in Jacksonville House District 15 in August. […]

Phil AmmannDecember 15, 2014

Palm Coast Republican Paul Renner received the endorsement today from the National Rifle Association and Unified Sportsmen of Florida in the special GOP primary for Florida House District 24. Renner, a Jacksonville native, moved to Flagler County after losing the GOP primary – by only two votes — in Jacksonville House District 15 in August. […]

Adam WeinsteinAugust 4, 2014

I’ve been trying to catch up with Marion Hammer, the former president of the NRA and top lobbyist for the pro-gun group here in Florida, for years. I’m a lifelong gun owner, but she’s never accepted my offers to meet up for a range day. So I was glad to see she’s writing here at […]

Tag: Marion Hammer
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. 4/18/25-Candles and remembrances are left near the Unconquered statue a few hours after the Florida State University Gathering of Unity Vigil held Friday to honor victims of the recent mass shooting. COLIN HACKLEY PHOTO

Jeff Brandes' concealed carry gun bill moves through Senate

Revised Brandes-Fitzenhagen gun bill disarms former opponents

Diane Roberts: Welcome to Tallahassee’s Festival of Bad Ideas

Diane Roberts: Welcome to Tallahassee's Festival of Bad Ideas

Diane Roberts: Welcome to Tallahassee's Festival of Bad Ideas

Adam Weinstein: A gun bill so sane Florida lawmakers never will pass it

Adam Weinstein: A gun bill so sane Florida lawmakers never will pass it

Paul Renner receives NRA endorsement, "A" rating in HD 24 special election

Paul Renner receives NRA endorsement, “A” rating in HD 24 special election

Adam Weinstein: NRA and its “Docs vs. Glocks” law treat gun owners like children