TALLAHASSEE (970 WFLA) -- It could get them removed from office and fined... but Florida U.S. Senator Bill Nelson is urging city council and county commission members in communities around Florida, to thumb their noses at a state law that makes it illegal for local governments to impose any new regulations on firearms.
Nelson told reporters on a visit to the state Capitol: "If the NRA won't let common sense regulation be passed in Tallahassee or Washington, I would certainly encourage counties and cities to enact common sense gun legislation."
Doing that is banned by a 2011 law signed by Governor Rick Scott. Chapter 790.33 declares that the "whole field" of firearms regulation belongs to the state, not local jurisdictions. The law requires that any official who votes for such legislation be fined $5,000 and may be removed from office by the governor.
But that hasn't stopped Hillsborough County Commissioner Les Miller from proposing an assault weapons ban.