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Jacksonville rules committee hears officials describe state investigation into city firearm log
Summary
City general counsel told the Rules Committee the State Attorney has issued investigative subpoenas after reports that building security kept logs of lawful firearms carried into City Hall and the Yates Building; outside counsel was retained and the practice stopped while the investigation proceeds.
The Rules Committee of the Jacksonville City Council on May 5 heard an overview from the city’s general counsel about an ongoing investigation by the State Attorney into a firearm log kept at City Hall and the Yates Building.
The committee was told the city first learned of a maintained log on April 21 and that investigative subpoenas were served to the city’s outside counsel the next day. “We were made aware on Monday morning of the issue, and that was April 21,” the general counsel said. He also said the city “received and complied with the subpoena from the state attorney’s office out of respect and in full cooperation with their review.”
Why it matters: Florida law generally prohibits the compilation of a registry of gun owners; the committee and public speakers said the alleged practice could implicate Florida Statute 790.335. The potential penalties discussed at the meeting include criminal and civil exposure for the consolidated government and possibly for individuals if the statute were found to have been violated.
Committee members pressed the city’s general counsel for procedural facts rather than details of evidence, and the counsel repeatedly declined to discuss documents or the merits because of the state investigation and possible litigation. He said the city retained the Bedell Law Firm on April 21 to provide criminal and civil defense services and that Bedell responded to the State Attorney’s subpoena. “We retain them to assist us in the full panoply of whether it’s a criminal claim, whether it’s a civil claim brought by the state or by an individual,” he said.
Public commenters and outside counsel for an advocacy group raised legal concerns. Eric Friday, general counsel for Florida Carry, told the committee the state law makes creation of a firearms registry a felony. “It is a felony to keep a list of gun owners in this state. It is a felony to keep a list of guns they own,” he said during public comment and called for a State Attorney investigation and accountability.
Officials said the city has stopped the practice of cataloging firearms at building entrances while matters remain under review. The general counsel said he had advised administration and public works staff to be “circumspect” about public comments because of the legal risk and offered to meet individually with council members to provide more background in confidence.
Committee options and next steps discussed at the meeting included inviting administration representatives to testify voluntarily, issuing subpoenas through the council’s investigatory authority, and forming a special investigative committee. Council members reminded one another of the need for due process while also noting the council’s charter authority to investigate local government affairs. The general counsel said he has not been advised by the State Attorney or any other agency to stop the council from conducting its oversight work.
Ending: The State Attorney’s Office has not publicly disclosed the details of the investigative subpoena, and the city’s outside counsel holds responsive materials, the general counsel said. Committee members agreed to continue oversight discussions while deferring requests for evidence to the State Attorney and outside counsel as the investigation proceeds.
