No Confiscation of Firearms Bill Passes Florida Legislature—NRA/USF Supported Bill!

DATE:  May 4, 2006
TO:  USF & NRA Members and Friends
FROM:  Marion P. Hammer
NRA Past President
Executive Director Unified Sportsmen of Florida

A bill supported by the National Rifle Association and Unified Sportsmen of Florida to prohibit confiscation of firearms following hurricanes (such as was done in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina) passed the Florida Legislature Thursday, May 4, and is on its way to Governor Jeb Bush (R) for his signature.

HB-285 sponsored by Representative Mitch Needelman (R-Melbourne) in the House and Senators Carey Baker (R-Eustis) and Bill Posey (R-Rockledge) in the Senate does the following:

1. Amends the Emergency Management Powers Act to prohibit the governor from ordering or authorizing the seizure, taking, or confiscation of firearms that are lawfully possessed, unless a persona is engaged in a criminal act.

2. Amends the Emergency Management Powers Act to prohibit any public official from ordering or authorizing the seizure, taking, or confiscation of firearms that are lawfully possessed, unless a persona is engaged in a criminal act.

The bill passed the House 116-0 and passed the Senate 40-0

Special thanks to Senate President Tom Lee (R-Brandon) and House Speaker Allan Bense (R-Panama City) for helping move this legislation.

SENATE (CO-SPONSORS) Senators J.D. Alexander (R), Mike Haridopolis (R), Burt Saunders (R), Steve Wise (R)

HOUSE (CO-SPONSORS) Thad Altman (R); Dennis Baxley (R); Fred Brummer(R); Donna Clarke (R); Faye Culp (R); Gayle Harrell(R); Will Kendrick (D); Paige Kreegel (R); John Legg (R); Dave Murzin(R); Dwight Stansel (D)

THOSE WHO VOTED AGAINST THE BILL IN THE HOUSE: NONE

THOSE WHO VOTED AGAINST THE BILL IN THE SENATE: NONE