News Summary
Jacksonville city officials are under scrutiny for allegedly maintaining an illegal firearm registry, prompting a City Council investigation. The discovery could lead to serious legal consequences, as retaining records of gun owners violates Florida state law. The situation has raised public concerns and heightened the urgency for accountability. City officials face the potential for significant penalties, and the council is considering the establishment of a special committee to address the ongoing investigation.
Jacksonville City Council Investigates Illegal Firearm Registry Amid Public Outcry
Jacksonville city officials are currently facing serious allegations regarding the existence of an illegal firearm registry maintained by the city government. This revelation has prompted an emergency session of the City Council Rules Committee to address the public concerns arising from this situation. The discovery of such a registry, which goes against Florida state law, adds increasing pressure on city administrators and could result in significant legal repercussions.
The original claim that Jacksonville was keeping a record of gun owners came from Eric Friday, a representative of Florida Carry, a nonprofit organization that advocates for gun rights across the state. Under Florida Statute 790.335, maintaining a list of firearm owners or the firearms they possess is classified as a felony, with potential penalties reaching up to $5 million for violators. Friday noted that this unauthorized documentation is a serious violation of state regulations.
Continuing the investigation, City General Counsel Michael Fackler revealed that the city first became aware of implications surrounding the firearm registry on April 21, 2025, the day before the State Attorney’s Office issued a subpoena regarding the matter. In response to the growing controversy, the city has officially discontinued the practice of recording visitors entering City Hall and the Yates Building, where the alleged illegal logs were kept.
During a recent committee meeting, Councilman Nick Howland candidly disclosed the existence of logs maintained to record gun owners visiting city facilities. He classified this practice as illegal and emphasized the urgency of informing the public about the matter. Howland also expressed concern that taxpayers could face millions of dollars in penalties if the city is legally found liable for maintaining these records.
Florida law is explicit in prohibiting any government agency from retaining records related to privately owned firearms or their owners, a measure aimed at preventing the formation of a government-managed gun registry. Eric Friday stated that green notebooks labeled “weapons and firearms logs” have reportedly documented gun owners entering City Hall and the Yates Building since at least July 2023. Disturbingly, individuals who refused to divulge their firearm ownership details were allegedly denied entry into these public buildings, a practice that Friday condemned as unacceptable.
Notably, the Mayor’s Office was absent during the Rules Committee meeting, despite having been invited to participate voluntarily. Officials from Mayor Donna Deegan’s office clarified that the policy which led to the creation of the firearm logs was implemented prior to her administration. They have indicated that a review of existing policy directives is ongoing, though former Mayor Lenny Curry has denied any connection to the records, asserting that no such documentation was kept during his tenure.
Councilman Ron Salem suggested that the investigative committee should pursue further inquiries and consider the issuance of subpoenas for the administration’s absence at the meeting. Other members of the council voiced their opinions on the need for unity within the committee to prevent the situation from becoming overly politicized before all facts are disclosed.
The Jacksonville City Council is contemplating the establishment of a special investigative committee but may wait for the findings from the State Attorney’s investigation prior to moving forward. Councilman Rahman Johnson cautioned against prematurely attributing responsibility to Mayor Deegan, reminding fellow council members that not all actions should automatically be linked to her administration.
If the allegations surrounding the illegal firearm registry are substantiated, Jacksonville could face major legal challenges, including substantial civil penalties and possible criminal charges for individuals implicated in the maintenance of the records. The situation continues to evoke strong public interest and debate over local government practices and gun rights in Florida.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Allegations of Illegal Firearm Registry in Jacksonville
Additional Resources
- News4JAX: City Confirms Firearm Registry
- Wikipedia: Firearm Regulation in the United States
- First Coast News: Jacksonville Gun Registry Investigation
- Google Search: Jacksonville firearm registry
- Florida Politics: Gun Registry Questions Linger
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Firearm
- First Coast News: Investigation Launched into Jacksonville Gun Registry
- Google News: Jacksonville gun registry
