Jacksonville Under Investigation for Illegal Gun Registry

Jacksonville City Hall with security checkpoint sign

News Summary

Jacksonville faces scrutiny as the State Attorney’s Office investigates an illegal gun registry maintained by city employees. This inquiry is due to a procedure at security checkpoints requiring personal information from individuals with firearms, which violates Florida law. The investigation has led to subpoenas for documents and communications related to the registry, raising significant concerns about compliance with state gun laws and the protection of residents’ rights.

Jacksonville is facing scrutiny as the State Attorney’s Office investigates an illegal gun registry reportedly maintained by the city, involving nine current and former employees. The inquiry centers around a procedure at city security checkpoints that required personnel to collect personal information from individuals entering public buildings with firearms, contrary to Florida state law.

The investigation follows a subpoena issued for documents, emails, and texts relating to the gun registry, specifically targeting keywords such as “gun,” “weapon,” and “registry.” Among those subpoenaed are current Chief Administration Officer Karen Bowling and former officials including Bob Rhodes, Jason Teal, and Lakeisha Burton.

According to state law, government entities are prohibited from creating or maintaining lists of privately owned firearms and their owners. Despite this, the city’s legal counsel confirmed the existence of records titled “weapons and firearms logs” dating back to at least July 2023, which documented personal details of firearm owners. It has been reported that individuals were sometimes denied entry to city buildings unless they provided this personal information.

The investigation began when the State Attorney’s Office became aware of the registry issue on April 21, 2025. Subpoenas were issued the next day, and a law firm, Bedell Law, was retained by the city to manage any potential criminal and civil penalties, which could reach up to $5 million per violation.

The current Mayor, Donna Deegan, stated that her administration became aware of these practices in April 2025 and immediately discontinued them. Former Mayor Lenny Curry, who held office prior to Deegan, insisted that an illegal gun registry was never created during his tenure and noted that he conducted thorough checks regarding the matter.

In response to the growing concerns, city officials have proposed the formation of a special investigative committee but will await the findings from the State Attorney’s investigation before proceeding. The Mayor’s office has also initiated a review of all policy directives from the previous administration to identify any additional issues.

City Council members have voiced differing perspectives on the Deegan administration’s involvement in the illegal registry. While some defend her handling of the situation, others are advocating for greater accountability and clarity regarding the administration’s awareness and response to the illegal practices.

The Republican Party of Florida has criticized Mayor Deegan, associating her administration with the illegal registry while the Deegan administration attempts to transfer responsibility to the previous administration led by Curry. Meanwhile, the policy related to the gun registry has been rescinded following its emergence into public awareness, demonstrating a swift response from the current administration.

This ongoing investigation raises significant concerns regarding compliance with state gun laws and the impact of unauthorized record-keeping on residents’ rights. As the State Attorney’s Office continues its probe, the city remains under careful scrutiny, with potential legal ramifications looming for those involved in these practices.