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Jacksonville Faces Investigation Over Alleged Illegal Gun Registry

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Exterior view of Jacksonville City Hall with security details

News Summary

Jacksonville is under scrutiny for purportedly maintaining an illegal gun registry at City Hall and the Yates Building. The State Attorney’s Office began investigating on April 22, 2025, after security personnel were found recording private firearm details, violating Florida law. Nine city employees have been subpoenaed as officials review firearm management policies in response to the controversy. The investigation has drawn attention from various city officials and the community, emphasizing the need for compliance with state regulations regarding firearm records.

Jacksonville is currently embroiled in a controversy regarding an alleged illegal gun registry maintained at two city buildings. The State Attorney’s Office initiated an investigation into this matter on April 22, 2025, following revelations that security personnel were recording details of concealed firearms at security checkpoints in both City Hall and the Yates Building.

As part of this investigation, a subpoena was issued naming nine city employees linked to the handling of the gun logs. Florida law explicitly prohibits local governments from keeping records of privately owned firearms, accompanied by potential fines that could reach up to $5 million for violations. This raised significant concerns among city officials and led to a review of the policies surrounding firearm management in municipal buildings.

Documents procured indicate that security personnel were directed to log specific information regarding concealed firearms, including the owner’s name, ID number, age, and type of weapon. These standard operating procedure documents were finalized on June 30, 2023, coinciding with the final day of former mayor Lenny Curry’s term in office. Shortly thereafter, on July 24, 2023, an updated post order regarding security procedures was issued following the inauguration of Mayor Donna Deegan.

While Curry has distanced himself from the creation of the policy, claiming it emerged after Deegan took office, emails acquired between Mike Soto, the Facilities Manager for Jacksonville, and First Coast Security Services indicate that discussions over the policy’s updates occurred during Curry’s tenure. Deegan has maintained that she was completely unaware of these practices until they were brought to her attention and confirmed that the practice has since been terminated under her leadership.

The investigation has expanded as the State Attorney’s Office has also subpoenaed various communications and logbooks related to the firearm entries. The scope of this investigation includes officials from both Deegan’s current administration and previous officials. City Councilman Nick Howland has voiced his belief that laws were violated and that accountability for these actions is essential. Similarly, Governor Ron DeSantis has emphasized the importance of accountability, condemning the existence of illegal gun registries.

The city’s Office of General Counsel has enlisted the support of the Bedell law firm to navigate the legal matters stemming from the ongoing investigation. Councilman Ron Salem has called for an independent review of the gun registry issue, while Councilman Rahman Johnson has advised caution regarding assumptions of Deegan’s involvement.

The origin of the controversy can be traced back to reports from a member of Florida Carry, an organization advocating for gun rights, who initially alerted officials to the existence of the alleged gun registry. As matters unfold, the Jacksonville City Council’s rules committee held a meeting on May 5, 2025, to delve deeper into how these policies were born and implemented. The emphasis throughout this accounting of events has remained on the adherence to state law regarding firearm records, as highlighted by various comments from city leaders and state officials alike.

The investigation is ongoing, and it draws attention to the need for clearer guidelines and practices concerning the management of firearm information at municipal levels. A pointed effort to ensure compliance and transparency has taken precedence, with the city leadership reaffirming its commitment to following state laws and ensuring that the rights of citizens are protected.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Jacksonville Under Investigation for Illegal Gun Registry
Jacksonville City Council Delays Investigation into Firearm Registry
Jacksonville City Council Investigates Illegal Firearm Registry
Allegations of Illegal Firearm Registry in Jacksonville

Additional Resources

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