Florida Politics - Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government.

Joe HendersonMay 16, 2018

Dear Gun Owner. I have a question for you. I don’t know what kind of weapon you own, or how many. If you bought them legally and hadn’t shot anyone outside the law, your guns are your business. But the National Rifle Association likes to say it represents all law-abiding gun owners by protecting their […]

Ana CeballosMarch 9, 2018

Almost immediately after Gov. Rick Scott signed gun-control measures that are unprecedented in the state, the National Rifle Association filed a federal lawsuit to try to block it. Scott signed the “Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Act” flanked by some of the parents who lost their children in the school mass shooting on Valentine’s Day. […]

Ana CeballosMarch 6, 2018

The Florida House Tuesday passed a priority bill for Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam without a toxic gun provision and without considering a contentious bill tied to puppy mills. The language in the House plan was causing heartburn, but state Rep. Jake Raburn, who is sponsoring the House bill, decided to consider the Senate plan, which […]

Scott PowersMarch 1, 2018

Republican gubernatorial candidate Ron DeSantis on Thursday denounced Florida Legislature efforts to tighten gun restrictions and said the mass shooting two weeks ago at the Parkland high school should be seen as “a catastrophic failure” by the Broward County sheriff and the FBI. DeSantis, a congressman from Ponte Vedra Beach, has made similar comments in […]

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 […]

Mitch PerryFebruary 26, 2018

The Second Amendment has already surfaced as an issue in the Attorney General race, although a different perspective will likely emerge once Sean Shaw hits the campaign trail full-time. The Tampa Democrat hasn’t done much campaigning since he officially entered the contest last month, but, undoubtedly, he will transition into candidate-mode when the Legislative Session […]

Guest AuthorFebruary 23, 2018

The most important and unregrettable time of my life was the 12 years I spent in the Army. I became a bomb technician because I wanted to save lives. I nearly gave my own life for that — I lost both my legs and a finger when a roadside bomb detonated beneath me — and […]

Jim RosicaFebruary 16, 2018

A leading gun-rights activist on Friday said his group didn’t draft controversial language on concealed weapon licenses (CWLs) in a bill backed by Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam. It would have allowed the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services‘ Division of Licensing to issue concealed-carry permits without complete criminal background information. Putnam’s department grants permission for concealed carry in the state. Jacksonville attorney Eric Friday, […]

Danny McAuliffeFebruary 15, 2018

Florida Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson told his colleagues on the Senate floor Thursday that they shouldn’t shy away from addressing gun control measures in the wake of the recent mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. “To those who say now that it’s not the time to talk about gun violence because it’s too soon, we don’t […]

Ana CeballosJanuary 31, 2018

The Republican-controlled Florida House on Wednesday passed a measure that would make it easier for individuals suspected in a disorderly conduct case to get their seized guns back. Under state law, a law enforcement officer has to take away the firearm found on a person who is arrested in a disorderly conduct cases, including domestic […]

Tag: Second Amendment
Image via Carlton Ward Jr.

Joe Henderson: Voices of reason needed in gun debate

NRA sues state shortly after Rick Scott signs gun-control measures

House passes Adam Putnam’s priority without contentious gun provision

Ron DeSantis calls Parkland massacre a failure of FBI, sheriff; denounces state gun proposals

Senate pushes gun, school safety proposals without assault weapon ban

Sean Shaw: Second Amendment silent on assault weapons

Brian Mast: I appreciate assault weapons. And I support a ban

Florida Carry says it’s not behind Adam Putnam’s concealed carry language

Bill Nelson: ‘Let’s get these assault weapons off our streets’

House votes to make it easier to return guns to certain suspects