The Gun Owners of America has filed a lawsuit against a Florida city that prefers “invent its own gun laws” within city venues.
One would think that, with its open-carry rules, the state of Florida would be all in when it comes to supporting gun rights. However, the city of Jacksonville has other ideas – and Gun Owners of America spokesman Stephen Willeford has explained what his group is doing about it.
- The Gun Owners of America have filed a lawsuit against the city of Jacksonville for unlawfully imposed firearm restrictions in certain zones.
- The lawsuit, according to the group, “challenges local firearm restrictions that violate Florida’s firearms-preemption law by going beyond what is authorized under state law.”
- GOA Florida State Director Luis Valdes noted how Jacksonville leaders “do not get to invent its own gun laws,” and hoped that the lawsuit will “protect the rights of every law-abiding gun owner in Florida.”
LEARN MORE ABOUT STEPHEN WILLEFORD’S BAREFOOT DEFENDER WEBSITE HERE.
The group, alongside the Gun Owners Foundation and others, filed a lawsuit against the city of Jacksonville, believing that it is unfairly putting firearm restrictions in place at city-owned venues. The suit names the city, as well as Sheriff T.K. Waters and Mayor Donna Deegan, and notes that it “challenges local firearm restrictions that violate Florida’s firearms-preemption law by going beyond what is authorized under state law.”
This comes after incidents at locations like the Florida Theatre and Jacksonville Fairgrounds, in which lawfully licensed concealed carriers were either forced to leave their firearm behind or not be allowed in the venue.
Luis Valdes, who serves as Florida State Director for Gun Owners of America, noted, “Jacksonville does not get to invent its own gun laws. Florida law is clear that it preempts localities from imposing stricter gun control. I was lawfully carrying at a city-owned venue that wasn’t a gun-free zone when a Jacksonville officer told me to disarm or be trespassed.
“We are taking Jacksonville to court to end these unlawful restrictions and protect the rights of every law-abiding gun owner in Florida.”
Willeford joins us now to discuss the suit, and what the next steps will be. We welcome him to the show!
Q&A:
- Why would Jacksonville try to put firearm restrictions in place when Florida has relatively permissive carry laws?
- Who do you think is behind these restrictions in the first place?
- How clear a violation of the Second Amendment do you believe these restrictions are?
- Is there anything the governor can do to step in and force Jacksonville to do away with these restrictions? Or is the city allowed to enforce these rules?
- Where do you see the discussion surrounding gun rights and gun safety going as we approach 2027?
- You recently wrote a book called A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy, which discusses the 2017 shooting in Sutherland Springs and your role in helping stop the attacker.
- Tell us more about how the book came together and why you believe it is an important read right now.
- Where can people find your book?
a. You can purchase the book here on Amazon, in both paperback and Kindle formats.
- Where can we learn more about you and Gun Owners of America?
a. You can learn more at thebarefootdefender.com. You can also learn more about Gun Owners of America at gunowners.org.
ORDER STEPHEN WILLEFORD’S BOOK, A TOWN CALLED SUTHERLAND SPRINGS, HERE.
About Stephen Willeford…
Stephen Willeford represents Gun Owners of America and is known around the country as the “good guy with a gun” for helping stop the gunman responsible for the 2017 shooting in Sutherland Springs, Texas. He is available to discuss gun rights issues and the work of Gun Owners of America. He is also the author of A Town Called Sutherland Springs: Faith and Heroism Through Tragedy. Learn more about him at thebarefootdefender.com.
CONTACT: Todd Baumann at 512-966-0983 or Jerry McGlothlin at bookings@specialguests.com.