Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ryan RaySeptember 16, 2015

In its first meeting in preparation of the 2016 regular legislative Session, a Senate committee pulled the trigger on two bills to alter Florida’s state gun statutes on Wednesday. On a so-called “campus carry” bill to allow concealed weapons into higher education facilities, a House panel shortly followed suit. First up was SB 130 sponsored […]

Ryan RaySeptember 8, 2015

Rep. Matt Gaetz unveiled a new ad Tuesday in his race to succeed his father Sen. Don Gaetz in the Florida Senate aimed at seizing the “true conservative” label in what may be a testy Republican primary. The new one-minute spot, entitled “Fighting Obamacare,” was unveiled in an email message to supporters Tuesday morning in response to […]

Associated PressMay 28, 2015

Florida gun owners who don’t have a concealed weapons permit can now take their firearms with them while fleeing a hurricane. Not that it’s been a big problem in Florida in the past. No one can cite an example of a gun owner being arrested while evacuating ahead of a hurricane, but lawmakers didn’t want […]

Staff ReportsMay 21, 2015

Gov. Rick Scott on Thursday signed into law bill that allows evacuees to carry concealed weapons or firearms on their body or in a vehicle during states of emergency without a permit to do so. SB 290 — co-sponsored by Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen in the House — would allow concealed weapons “while in the act […]

Diane RobertsApril 13, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE — The poor? The hell with them. Education? Don’t make me laugh. The environment? Screw it. The 2015 Session is more than halfway through, and your elected representatives have made it clear they really, truly, do not care what you think. They care what NRA gorgon Marion Hammer thinks. And what Tom Feeney […]

Diane RobertsApril 12, 2015

OCCUPIED TALLAHASSEE – The poor? The hell with them. Education? Don’t make me laugh. The environment? Screw it. The 2015 Session is more than half way through, and your elected representatives have made it clear they really, truly, do not care what you think. They care what NRA gorgon Marion Hammer thinks. And what Tom […]

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. […]

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 […]

Ryan RayJanuary 23, 2015

The Florida House is poised to again consider legislation allowing gun owners to carry concealed weapons without a license to do so during state-declared states of emergency. Fort Myers state Rep. Heather Fitzenhagen has filed a House companion bill to St. Pete state Sen. Jeff Brandes’ SB 290, filed earlier this month. A similar bill […]

Tag: National Rifle Association

Gun bills move forward in early committee action

Matt Gaetz comes out swinging with new digital ad in Senate race

Unpermitted Florida gun owners get exemption for hurricanes

Rick Scott signs bill to OK carrying concealed weapons during emergencies

Diane Roberts: The Legislature doesn’t care what you think

Diane Roberts: The Florida Legislature doesn't care what you think

Revised Brandes-Fitzenhagen gun bill disarms former opponents

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

House to take up guns-during-evacuations bill