Florida Alert! Democrats Vote Against Restoring Rights of Churches

The rights of churches are enshrined in the First Amendment. They are supposed to be left alone to enjoy their congregants, their property, and their freedom of choice. Yet, overwhelmingly Democrats in the Florida House and Florida Senate are continuing to vote against restoring their private property rights, their Second Amendment rights, their right to self-defense/defense of others and their right to secure their property and provide security for their congregants and guests.

Below is the report of action on pro-gun bills this week: 

MONDAY, January 29, 2018:

HB-39 by Rep. Dane Eagle was heard in the House Criminal Justice Sub-Committee on Monday, January 29, 2018 and PASSED by a vote of 9-4.

HB-39 is a bill to stop the abuse of law-abiding citizens who are licensed by the State  to carry concealed firearms for self-defense and whose firearm becomes temporarily exposed to ordinary sight of another person.

VOTING FOR THE BILL:  Committee Chairman Ross Spano (R), Representatives Thad Altman (R), Dane Eagle (R), Julio Gonzalez (R), Bill Hager (R), Gayle Harrell (R), Chris Latvala (R), Jennifer Sullivan (R), Clay Yarborough (R)

VOTING  AGAINST THE BILL:  Representatives Ramon Alexander (D), Sharon Pritchett (D), David Richardson (D) Emily Slosberg (D),

WEDNESDAY, January 31, 2018:

HB-55 by Rep. Frank White was heard on the Floor of the Florida House of Representatives on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018 and PASSED by a vote of 110-2.

HB-55 is a bill to authorize gun dealers to send background check fees (collected during the previous month) to FDLE by electronic means – rather than forcing them to mail in paper checks.

Only Reps. Evan Jenne (D) and Carlos Guillermo Smith voted AGAINST the bill.

THURSDAY, February 1, 2018:

HB-1419 by Rep. Lawrence McClure & Rep. Ross Spano was heard in the House Judiciary Committee and PASSED by a vote of 13-6

HB-1419 Guns on Church Property/Church Private Property Rights is a bill to restore private property rights to churches, synagogues, and other religious institutions. It restores the right of individual churches to decide whether or not to allow concealed firearms license holders to carry on church private property for security.

VOTING FOR THE BILL:  Committee Chairman Chris Sprowls (R), Representatives Danny Burgess (R), Cord Byrd (R), Heather Fitzenhagen (R), Julio Gonzalez (R), Erin Grall (R), Shawn Harrison (R), Larry Metz (R), George Moratis (R), Daniel Perez (R), Scott Plakon (R), Ross Spano (R), Jay Trumbull (R)

VOTING  AGAINST THE BILL:  Representatives Ramon Alexander (D), John Cortes (D), Ben Diamond (D), Joe Geller (D), Sharon Pritchett (D), Cynthia Stafford (D)

SB-1048 by Sen. Dennis Baxley (R) was heard in the Senate Rules Committee and PASSED by a vote of 7-5.

SB-1048 Guns on Church Property/Church Private Property Rights  by Sen. Dennis Baxley (R) is a bill to restore private property rights to churches, synagogues, and other religious institutions. It restores the right of individual churches to decide whether or not to allow concealed firearms license holders to carry on church private property for security.

VOTING FOR THE BILL: Committee Chairwoman Lizbeth Benacquisto (R, Senators Rob Bradley (R), Jeff Brandes (R), Anitere Flores (R), Tom Lee (R), Keith Perry (R), Wilton Simpson (R)

VOTING  AGAINST THE BILL: Senators Lauren Book (D), Oscar Braynon (D), Bill Monford (D), Jose Rodriguez (D), Perry Thurston (D)

It was a great week! Thank you for your help.