Ten mayors across South Florida filed a lawsuit against Governor Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi over gun regulation.
The group is specifically challenging a 1987 state law preventing local governments from implementing gun ordinances. Under the law, the state Legislature is “occupying the whole field of regulation of firearms and ammunition.” All county, city, town, or municipal ordinances and regulations related to guns and ammunitions are null and void.
In 2011, penalties were added to the state law. Any local government or official who would implement gun ordinances will pay up to $5,000 fine. The Governor may remove the local government official from office. Local governments and officials could also face lawsuits from entities affected by any gun-related ordinances or regulation. The state law also prohibits them from using public funds in their legal defense.
In other words, the local governments in Florida are powerless when it comes to regulating guns. The state government has the sole authority to do so.
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