TALLAHASSEE -- Gun-rights activist Marion Hammer is retiring after more than 40 years as a lobbyist for the National Rifle Association in Florida's capital.
Hammer, now 83, made her mark with gun laws that became the model for other states, including the "Stand Your Ground" law and a law requiring the state to issue concealed permits to those who meet qualifications.
In 1996, Hammer was elected NRA president for two years.
Hammer's lobbying occasionally extended beyond firearms. She was a prominent voice calling for Florida to retain the northern mockingbird as its state bird, despite that bird already serving as the official bird in several other states.
One of Hammer's few defeats came in 2018 when lawmakers passed the "red flag" law.
“It is a model for nobody. It has been abused many, many times in the state of Florida and I would stress the importance of finding a way to stop abuse of average law-abiding citizens,” she said.
Information from the News Service of Florida was used in this report.
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