City of Jax trying to ban guns at boat ramps

[northfla_hunter]

copy of the email i sent out. thanks to all who take a minute to help out!!

All,

My apologies to those who do not live in this area, but this is an important and urgent matter that needs immediate action and I felt this was the best way to spread the word. A councilman for the City of Jacksonville has proposed an amendment that would ban firearms at all public boat ramps and parks. This means hunters would be unable to use the ramps and fishermen would not be able to legally carry a gun for protection when going offshore. It would actually be illegal to even have a weapon in the truck. Concealed permit or not, having a gun would be illegal.

PLEASE - anyone who is remotely close to Jacksonville, write a quick email to the council members and voice your opposition of this change. Even if you do not live within the city limits, tell them you use the boat ramps and would be affected by this law. We need a strong response to show the council the voice of sportsmen in the community!!

Newton, perhaps you could draft a quick response that is officially from UWF. A statewide group with hundreds of members might get some attention as well.

It is going before the committee this week so immediate response is critical!!

Thank you all!!


Here is the proposed ordinance, ORDINANCE 2005-917:
Sec. 28.510. Firearms and weapons prohibited.
(a) Possession, use or discharge of any firearm within any park, beach, dock, marina or other recreational facility is subject to the conditions, restrictions and penalties set forth in F.S. Ch. 790, as may be amended from time to time. A “firearm” is defined under F.S. § 790.001, as may be amended from time to time.
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person, other than authorized personnel, to possess, display, or flourish any weapon within any park, beach, dock, marina or other recreational facility. A "weapon" is defined under F.S. § 790.001, as may be amended from time to time.

Proposed by Councilman Art Graham


here is the list of all the email address to copy and paste in an email:
LRay@coj.net;LSelf@coj.net;RClark@coj.net;SuzanneJ @coj.net;AShad@coj.net;SCopelan@coj.net;SCopeland@ coj.net;PFelder@coj.net;GYates@coj.net;ReggieF@coj .net;MJones@coj.net;WAlvarez@coj.net;DDavis@coj.ne t;ArtG@coj.net;Corrigan@coj.net;RonnieF@coj.net;El aineB@coj.net;LDaniels@coj.net;KHyde@coj.net;Glori ousJ@coj.net

and here is the breakdown of all council members and their contact info:
District Council Members
District 1: Lake Ray
Bridgette Green, Assistant; LRay@coj.net; (904) 630-1389

District 2: Lynette Self
Kristie Miller, Assistant; LSelf@coj.net; (904) 630-1392

District 3: Richard Clark
Meghan Friel, Assistant; RClark@coj.net; (904) 630-1386

District 4: Suzanne Jenkins
Shirley Dasher, Assistant; SuzanneJ@coj.net; (904) 630-1394

District 5: Art Shad
Debbie Delgado, Assistant; AShad@coj.net; (904) 630-1382

District 6: Sharon Copeland
Jenny Huxford, Assistant; SCopelan@coj.net; (904) 630-1388

District 7: Pat Lockett-Felder
Daisy Brown, Assistant; PFelder@coj.net; (904) 630-1384

District 8: Gwen Yates
Brenda Kelly, Assistant; GYates@coj.net; (904) 630-1385

District 9: Reggie Fullwood
Rupal Wells, Assistant; ReggieF@coj.net; (904) 630-1395

District 10: Mia Jones
Daphne Colbert, Assistant; MJones@coj.net; (904) 630-1684

District 11: Warren Alvarez
Rhonda Goodwin, Assistant; WAlvarez@coj.net; (904) 630-1383

District 12: Daniel Davis
Jessica Adams, Assistant; DDavis@coj.net; (904) 630-1380

District 13: Arthur Graham
Stan Johnson, Assistant; ArtG@coj.net; (904) 630-1397

District 14: Michael Corrigan
Dianne Smith, Assistant; Corrigan@coj.net; (904) 630-1390


At Large Council Members

Group 1: Ronnie Fussell
Mina Hosseini, Assistant; RonnieF@coj.net; (904) 630-1393

Group 2: Elaine Brown
Carol Resch, Assistant; ElaineB@coj.net; (904) 630-1381

Group 3: Lad Daniels
Celeste Hicks, Assistant; LDaniels@coj.net; (904) 630-1396

Group 4: Kevin Hyde
Alison Miller, Assistant; KHyde@coj.net; (904) 630-1398

Group 5: Glorious J. Johnson
Sandra Lane, Assistant; GloriousJ@coj.net; (904) 630-1387

[Converted]

E-mail sent :icon_salu

Dear Council Member,

It has come to my attention that you will be considering adoption of the referenced ordinance in the coming weeks. I would strongly oppose the ordinance as it is currently written. Many recreational users of your beaches, docks, marinas and parks have hunting firearms in their possession while at those facilities. Waterfowl hunters for example must launch their boats from one of several of these locations to reach the marshes where they engage in the lawful activity of hunting. Additionally, often times recreational fisherman carry firearms for personal protection. I would also note that the advertised wording gives no exception for licensed conceal carry permit holders. Those individuals undergo an extensive background check by law enforcement and are not the people that may be the target of your efforts.

Unlawful use of firearms is already covered by a myriad of Local, State and Federal ordinances, codes, and laws. Any restrictions on lawful activities by law abiding citizens of Duval County that may take place from time to time at these locations is unacceptable.

David J. Lithgow
Vice President / Secretary
United Waterfowlers Florida Inc.
www.unitedwaterfowlersfl.org
dlithgow@bellsouth.net
561-818-7539

[Converted]

Thanks to Lane Stevens of Allied Sportsman's Associations of Florida for providing us with this from Florida Statutes...

790.33 Direct Link (http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=Ch0790/SEC33.HTM&Title=-%3E2005-%3ECh0790-%3ESection%2033#0790.33)

790.33 Field of regulation of firearms and ammunition preempted.--

(1) PREEMPTION.--Except as expressly provided by general law, the Legislature hereby declares that it is occupying the whole field of regulation of firearms and ammunition, including the purchase, sale, transfer, taxation, manufacture, ownership, possession, and transportation thereof, to the exclusion of all existing and future county, city, town, or municipal ordinances or regulations relating thereto. Any such existing ordinances are hereby declared null and void. This subsection shall not affect zoning ordinances which encompass firearms businesses along with other businesses. Zoning ordinances which are designed for the purpose of restricting or prohibiting the sale, purchase, transfer, or manufacture of firearms or ammunition as a method of regulating firearms or ammunition are in conflict with this subsection and are prohibited...

(3) POLICY AND INTENT.--

(a) It is the intent of this section to provide uniform firearms laws in the state; to declare all ordinances and regulations null and void which have been enacted by any jurisdictions other than state and federal, which regulate firearms, ammunition, or components thereof; to prohibit the enactment of any future ordinances or regulations relating to firearms, ammunition, or components thereof unless specifically authorized by this section or general law; and to require local jurisdictions to enforce state firearms laws...



Thanks Lane :icon_salu

[Converted]

FYI From Lane Stevens to City of Jacksonville General Council...

Mr. Crowe,

I am writing in my capacity as executive director of Allied Sportsmen's Associations of Florida, Inc., in reference to the proposed ordinance 2005-917. As the North Florida Chapter of the Safari Club International and individual members of the United Water Fowlers of Florida are
residents of Jacksonville, I have standing to provide information and comments on this matter.

I am providing, for your information, a portion of Florida Statute 790.33. As counsel to the Jacksonville City Council, I am sure that you are aware that this state law preempts all other laws in Florida with regard to the possession of firearms and ammunition.

Florida Statute 790.33(1) reads:

790.33 Field of regulation of firearms and ammunition preempted.--

(1) PREEMPTION.--Except as expressly provided by general law, the Legislature hereby declares that it is occupying the whole field of regulation of firearms and ammunition, including the purchase, sale, transfer, taxation, manufacture, ownership, possession, and transportation thereof, to the exclusion of all existing and future county, city, town, or municipal ordinances or regulations relating thereto. Any such existing ordinances are hereby declared null and void. This subsection shall not affect zoning ordinances which encompass firearms businesses along with other businesses. Zoning ordinances which are designed for the purpose of restricting or prohibiting the sale, purchase, transfer, or manufacture of firearms or ammunition as a method of regulating firearms or ammunition are in conflict with this subsection and are prohibited.

Pursuant to our discussion, you have pointed out that the intent of the council is not to violate Chapter 790.33(1), F.S., and you have amended your proposed ordinance to only include a prohibition against possession of a weapon, as defined in Chapter 790.001, F.S. During our discussion,
it was determined that the word "weapon" is used in the definition of the word "firearm." This definition reads:

790.001(6) "Firearm" means any weapon (including a starter gun) which will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive; the frame or receiver of any such weapon;
any firearm muffler or firearm silencer; any destructive device; or any machine gun. The term "firearm" does not include an antique firearm unless the antique firearm is used in the commission of a crime.

As this could cause some persons to read that weapons are included in the definition of the word "firearm" and it is not your intent to prohibit possession of firearms, you and I have agreed, conceptually, that the proposed ordinance would read better if it referred to the definition If "weapon" as found in Chapter 790.001(13) F.S., which I
provide below:

(13) "Weapon" means any dirk, metallic knuckles, slungshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or other deadly weapon except a firearm or a common pocketknife.

If the proposed ordinance is amended in this fashion, then I believe there would be no confusion as to what is allowed and not allowed. If the intent is to only prohibit the weapons defined in 790.001(13), F.S., then I believe that my organization would not oppose this action.

The section of your proposed ordinance in question currently reads:
(b) It shall be unlawful for any person, other than authorized personnel, to > possess, display, or flourish any weapon within any park, beach, dock, > marina or other recreational facility. A "weapon" is defined under F.S. 790.001, as may be amended from time to time.

You agree that you will suggest to your client that (13) should be added after the number 1 and before the comma in the proposed sentence.

By copy of this e-mail, I am informing Ms. Marion Hammer of the NRA-Florida, of our discussion. This should in no way be read as to imply that the NRA agrees with the proposed ordinance, either in its current form or as amended by our discussions. This is simply provided
to her for her information.

If you have questions or need further clarification, please do not hesitate to contact me at any time.

Sincerely,


M. Lane Stephens
Executive Director
Allied Sportsmen's Associations of Florida
Tallahassee, FL

[N. Cook]

This Is What Uw-f Is All About....in Less Than 6 Hours From The Notification Of The Potential Problem Of A Jax City Ordinance Banning Firearms At Boat Ramps We Have Multiple Emails To The City Council, The Influential Allied Sportsmens Lobby, Including Legal Notice, On The Case And I Understand Marion Hammer Of The Nra Has Been Informed.

Thanks To All Who Make The "voice" Heard....and Respected.

[Converted]

Thanks for all the calls and e-mails... they really do work

All,

I would like to thank you for the support you have shown in getting a clear message to the Jacksonville City Council that we will not tolerate their attempts at removing our rights. Below is an email sent to Ms Hammer by Councilman Graham after last weeks meeting. Whether it was their intent or not (I am not sure how you put the words "firearms and weapons prohibited" in by accident), they will (hopefully) know in the future to not try this type of thing again. If the issue arises again, I will update you but it appears that it is dead for now. Thanks again, this is an obvious case of sportsmen rallying together to protect our rights!

Good luck to all for the opener of duck season this weekend!

Regards,

Michael Haney


********************
Marion Hammer,

OKAY, OKAY, OKAY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The original intent of the legislation was to codify some of the existing park rules, and to create some new ones that would help our JSO officers & future park rangers perform their duties.

The part in the bill about "Firearms and Weapons" was added to bill by someone else (NOT ME). This part of the bill does not alter the original bill or its purpose; however, it appears to be the center of a TON of debate. That being the case - I will remove the entire section 28.510 from the legislation.

Will you PLEASE ask your membership to stop emailing me about this issue. And will you also ask them NOT to write and say "thank you". My mailbox has been overloaded with emails about this one issue.

Thanks,
Art Graham