Legislation News

Critical days lie ahead for gun owners. The Obama Administration on the federal level and anti-gun legislators on the state level threaten our freedom, our liberty and our self-defense and firearms rights.

At the end of this message is a list of gun bills already filed for the upcoming legislative session here in Florida. We're counting on your help, through financial support and activism, to help keep Florida gun rights safe.

Already, an anti-gun south Florida Democrat has filed a bill to deminish Florida's Right-to-Carry law and yet another bill attempts to define "assault weapons" by placing a list of firearms and accessories into statutes -- a scheme that anti-gunners have attempted for years.

We urge you to help us protect your cherished rights. We simply can't do it without you. Please JOIN, RENEW your membership and/or send a contribution today.

I'm counting on you -- as you have counted on me -- to help save our Second Amendment rights. Use the links below to download and print the action form. Send it in today.

Thank you for your support.

http://www.nraila.org/media/PDFs/USF_Application_Jan-2010.pdf

Repeal prohibition on open carry in Florida. Only seven states totally prohibit open carry, Florida being one of them. Variations include generally unrestricted open carry (27 states), open carry if licensed to carry concealed (15 states), and -- in California only -- open carry permitted in rural areas.

Lift restriction against recognition of reciprocal state CCW licenses carried by non-resident of the issuing state.

Lift limitation on out-of-state long gun purchases to contiguous states. This goes back to the federal Gun Control Act of 1968, and was changed in federal law in 1986 to allow purchases from dealers in all states if the purchase was legal in the state of sale and the state of residence of the purchaser.

Adopt a law similar to Washington's RCW 9.41.110 that makes provision for an individual charged with homicide/assault, who claims self defense and wins with that defense, to be reimbursed for costs of defense, lost wages, etc. The purpose of the legislation is to discourage malicious prosecution by over-zealous prosecutors.

Constitutional carry. ("The Second Amendment is the only license I need!") Florida should permit lawful carry of a concealed firearm without a license if the carrier has no criminal intent. Florida is behind the power curve on this one: Vermont has had constitutional carry since 1903 by state Supreme Court decision; Alaska (2003) and Arizona (2010) by statute.

Mandatory firearms safety training appropriate to the age group (Eddie Eagle K-6, Home Firearms Safety (7-12). HS graduation requirement. Religious objection waiver only exception.

Prohibit confiscation and/or suspension of concealed carry licenses or otherwise lawful possession of firearms during a declared state of emergency, to include possession in shelters. During an emergency law enforcement personnel will be stretched thin. Citizens will likely be spending time in shelters, or forced to spend time seeking food, fuel, etc. This is not the time to strip them of their right of self defense. (Goes beyond HB 285 passed in 2006.)

Repeal prohibition of licensed concealed carry in non-sterile areas of airports.

Eliminate sales tax on gun safes or locking devices. Encourages safe storage of firearms and compliance with Florida's Child Access Prevention law.

Bills already in Florida:

SB-98 Regulation of Firearms By Sen. Carey Baker (R-Eustis) – Provides that firearms, firearm accessories, & ammunition made in Florida for personal use are not subject to federal law or regulation; provides that certain basic materials are not subject to federal regulation of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition under interstate commerce; Effective October 1, 2010, a firearm manufactured and sold in this state must have the indicia "Made in Florida" clearly stamped on a central metallic part of the firearm, such as the receiver or frame. Committee referrals: Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Rules . Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0098.PDF

SB-134 Assault Weapons by Sen. Larcenia Bullard (D-Miami) – Provides that a person commits a felony of the third degree if he or she stores or leaves an assault weapon within the reach or easy access of another person if that person obtains the weapon and uses it to inflict injury or death. Provides criminal penalties. Provides exceptions. Defines the term "assault weapon." Committee referrals: Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations. Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0134.PDF

SB-136 Concealed Weapon or Firearm/License to Carry by Sen. Larcenia Bullard (D-Miami)
Revises conditions for issuance of a license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm and make the criteria more restrictive. Revises conditions under which a license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm is suspended or revoked to make it easier to revoke or suspend a license. Committee referrals: Commerce; Criminal Justice; General Government Appropriations Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0136.PDF

SB-194 Domestic Violence/Injunction for Protection by Sen. Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa) Adds circumstances that violate an injunction for protection against repeat violence, sexual violence, or dating violence to include refusal to surrender firearms when order by a court to do so. Committee referrals: Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0194.PDF

SB-530 Adoption/Firearms Registration by Sen.Thad Altman (R-Melbourne) – Prohibits adoption agencies or entities from registering firearms; or requiring disclosure of or restricting lawful possession, storage, or use of firearm or ammunition of prospective parents. Committee referrals: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Judiciary Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0530.PDF

HB-21 Regulation of Firearms By Rep. Marlene O'Toole (R-The Villages) – Provides that firearms, firearm accessories, & ammunition made in Florida for personal use are not subject to federal law or regulation; provides that certain basic materials are not subject to federal regulation of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition under interstate commerce; Effective October 1, 2010, a firearm manufactured and sold in this state must have the indicia "Made in Florida" clearly stamped on a central metallic part of the firearm, such as the receiver or frame. Committee referrals: Civil Justice & Courts Policy Committee; Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee; Policy Council; Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council. Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0021.PDF

HB-267 Assault Weapons by Rep. Dwight Bullard (D-Miami) – Provides that a person commits a felony of the third degree if he or she stores or leaves an assault weapon within the reach or easy access of another person if that person obtains the weapon and uses it to inflict injury or death. Provides criminal penalties. Provides exceptions. Defines the term "assault weapon." Committee referrals: Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee; Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations Committee; Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0267.PDF

HB-309 Domestic Violence/Injunction for Protection by Rep. Janet Long (D-St. Petersburg) – Adds circumstances that violate an injunction for protection against repeat violence, sexual violence, or dating violence to include refusal to surrender firearms when order by a court to do so. Committee referrals: Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee; Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations Committee; Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0309.PDF

HB-315 Adoption/Firearms Registration by Rep. Mike Horner (R-Kissimmee) – Prohibits adoption agencies or entities from registering firearms; or requiring disclosure of or restricting lawful possession, storage, or use of firearm or ammunition of prospective parents. Committee referrals: Health Care Services Policy Committee; Health & Family Services Policy Council Click here to view bills:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0315.PDF

ALERT **** Florida Gun Bills Pre-filed for 2010 Legislation -- SO FAR *

The following is a list of firearms related bills that have been pre-filed for the 2010 legislative session so far. /More are expected.

*SB-98 Regulation of Firearms By Sen. Carey Baker (R-Eustis)* Provides that firearms, firearm accessories, & ammunition made in Florida for personal use are not subject to federal law or regulation; provides that certain basic materials are not subject to federal regulation of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition under interstate commerce; Effective October 1, 2010, a firearm manufactured and sold in this state must have the indicia "Made in Florida" clearly stamped on a central metallic part of the firearm, such as the receiver or frame. /Committee referrals: Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Rules ./ Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0098.PDF//

*SB-134 Assault Weapons by Sen. Larcenia Bullard (D-Miami) * Provides that a person commits a felony of the third degree if he or she stores or leaves an assault weapon within the reach or easy access of another person if that person obtains the weapon and uses it to inflict injury or death. Provides criminal penalties. Provides exceptions. Defines the term "assault weapon." /Committee referrals: Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations. /Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0134.PDF

*SB-136 Concealed Weapon or Firearm/License to Carry by Sen. Larcenia Bullard (D-Miami)*

Revises conditions for issuance of a license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm and make the criteria more restrictive. Revises conditions under which a license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm is suspended or revoked to make it easier to revoke or suspend a license. /Committee referrals: Commerce; Criminal Justice; General Government Appropriations /Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0136.PDF

*SB-194 Domestic Violence/Injunction for Protection by Sen. Arthenia Joyner (D-Tampa)* Adds circumstances that violate an injunction for protection against repeat violence, sexual violence, or dating violence to include refusal to surrender firearms when order by a court to do so. Committee referrals: /Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Criminal and Civil Justice Appropriations /Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0194.PDF

*SB-530 Adoption/Firearms Registration by Sen.Thad Altman (R-Melbourne)* Prohibits adoption agencies or entities from registering firearms; or requiring disclosure of or restricting lawful possession, storage, or use of firearm or ammunition of prospective parents. / Committee referrals: Children, Families, and Elder Affairs; Judiciary /Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0530.PDF

*HB-21 Regulation of Firearms By Rep. Marlene O'Toole (R-The Villages)* Provides that firearms, firearm accessories, & ammunition made in Florida for personal use are not subject to federal law or regulation; provides that certain basic materials are not subject to federal regulation of firearms, firearm accessories, or ammunition under interstate commerce; Effective October 1, 2010, a firearm manufactured and sold in this state must have the indicia "Made in Florida" clearly stamped on a central metallic part of the firearm, such as the receiver or frame. /Committee referrals: Civil Justice & Courts Policy Committee; Insurance, Business & Financial Affairs Policy Committee; Policy Council; Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council. / Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0021.PDF

*HB-267 Assault Weapons by Rep. Dwight Bullard (D-Miami) * Provides that a person commits a felony of the third degree if he or she stores or leaves an assault weapon within the reach or easy access of another person if that person obtains the weapon and uses it to inflict injury or death. Provides criminal penalties. Provides exceptions. Defines the term "assault weapon." /Committee referrals: Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee; Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations Committee; Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council/ Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0267.PDF

*HB-309 Domestic Violence/Injunction for Protection by Rep. Janet Long (D-St. Petersburg)* Adds circumstances that violate an injunction for protection against repeat violence, sexual violence, or dating violence to include refusal to surrender firearms when order by a court to do so. /Committee referrals: Public Safety & Domestic Security Policy Committee; Criminal & Civil Justice Appropriations Committee; Criminal & Civil Justice Policy Council / Click here to view bill:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0309.PDF

*HB-315 Adoption/Firearms Registration by Rep. Mike Horner (R-Kissimmee)* Prohibits adoption agencies or entities from registering firearms; or requiring disclosure of or restricting lawful possession, storage, or use of firearm or ammunition of prospective parents. /Committee referrals: Health Care Services Policy Committee; Health & Family Services Policy Council / Click here to view bills:

http://www.lobbytools.com/static/bills/2010/PDF/0315.PDF