Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Ana CeballosMarch 6, 2018

A man who was “quietly watching” the Senate debate on a controversial gun bill Monday was spotted carrying into the Capitol about a dozen jars full of tar and feathers labeled “Enemy of Freedom Award.” The destination: the offices of Democratic and Republican state senators, some of whom voted for new gun restrictions and others […]

Ana CeballosMarch 2, 2018

At a time when the National Rifle Association is at forefront of the Legislature’s mind, House and Senate budget writers Friday morning agreed to put $3 million toward the construction of a shooting range, which is funded in part by the controversial group fighting gun bills. Ever since the Parkland school shooting took place on […]

Scott PowersMarch 2, 2018

The Pride Fund to End Gun Violence, a national gay rights organization launched in response to Orlando’s 2016 Pulse nightclub massacre in order to advocate gun control, is releasing a new video focusing on the pain and anger surrounding mass murders, with the intention of keeping emotions high. The video makes a direct accusation toward […]

Peter SchorschMarch 2, 2018

Lehigh Acres Republican Rep. Matt Caldwell said Thursday that retailers are within their rights to pull guns from their shelves, but consumers who don’t favor such policies can vote with their dollars. “The Citizens United case confirmed that the 1st Amendment protects everyone’s free speech, both individuals and corporations like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Walmart. […]

Scott PowersFebruary 28, 2018

Declaring that Florida lawmakers are failing to respond to post-Parkland calls to address guns, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Chris King said Wednesday that the people of Florida deserve a special session. King, a Winter Park businessman, advocated for a ban on military-style assault weapons and comprehensive background checks on gun purchases, and contended that Marjory Stoneman […]

Drew WilsonFebruary 27, 2018

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Gwen Graham sent out an email Tuesday attacking Republican foe Ron DeSantis for his silence in the post-Parkland policy debate. While DeSantis was the target, Gov. Rick Scott and Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam, who is also running as a GOP candidate for governor, weren’t spared in the “Sound of Silence Alert.” “Governor […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 26, 2018

Following a chaotic and emotional two-hour debate at the Senate Rules Committee on Monday, dozens of gun control advocates left the meeting angry and disappointed when senators voted down a ban on assault weapons. “Vote them out! Vote them out!” protesters chanted after Senate Rules Chair Lizbeth Benacquisto announced the failure of on an amendment filed […]

Ana CeballosFebruary 26, 2018

A sit-in protest over gun-control legislation erupted inside and outside the Senate Rules Committee on Monday as senators considered three contentious proposals rolled out in the wake of the deadly Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Clad in bright orange shirts, gun control advocates wielded signs slamming the National Rifle Association. They yelled, “this is […]

Joe HendersonFebruary 26, 2018

The NRA boycott is gaining corporate converts every day, so maybe it’s time ask the gun-rights lobby this simple question: How does it feel? The National Rifle Association grew into an organization with outsized influence because it keeps lawmakers in line with the threat of political and economic pressure. Its leaders have long understood that […]

Peter SchorschFebruary 25, 2018

A group supporting a wave of first-time candidates for elected office took out a full-page ad in the Sunday edition of the Sun-Sentinel calling on Floridians to run against NRA-backed state lawmakers in 2018. The Run for Something ad states “The NRA is killing our kids” at the top and then includes an sheet with […]

Tag: NRA

Senators get jars of tar and feathers labeled ‘Enemy of Freedom’ after gun bill vote

Budget writers sign off on $3m to build shooting range, co-funded by NRA

Pride Fund launching on-line video focusing on the emotions of gun violence

Matt Caldwell takes issue with retailers ‘caving’ on guns

Chris King decries loopholes in gun laws, urges special session

Email insights: Gwen Graham slams Ron DeSantis for ‘sounds of silence’

Senate pushes gun, school safety proposals without assault weapon ban

Protest erupts in Senate Rules Committee as gun proposals are considered

Joe Henderson: NRA boycott shows pressure can work both ways

Run for Something ad highlights unopposed Florida lawmakers with NRA ties