DeSantis hears 'sirens at night ' — says it's up to locals to solve Tallahassee gun violence

As the state's own capital deals with a surge in gun fatalities this year, Florida lawmakers already have filed more than four dozen gun-related bills for the 2020 legislative session.

There's plenty for those on both sides of the highly-charged, contentious issue of gun control: Proposals impose further restrictions on gun ownership, and others would repeal regulations already in place. 

Lawmakers convene Jan. 14 to start their annual debates, with the backdrop of gun deaths in their backyard: Through the end of November, 19 Tallahassee residents died from gun violence, according to a Tallahassee Democrat analysis. 

Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis lives in a Governor’s Mansion that is about a mile from where a man was gunned down in broad daylight this May 14.

“I hear the sirens at night," he told reporters after this week's Cabinet meeting at the Capitol. "It’s pretty constant for that."

But even though the governor floated the idea of some kind of local assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, he said he's not going to "micromanage" how individual cities, including Tallahassee, try to curb gun violence.

“The city folks, if they want help from the state on something, you know, we’re willing to look at it,” he said.

Related:'Is this really Tallahassee?': Godby wrestles with grief of third student killed this year

Tallahassee happens to be among the Florida cities that challenged a law that reserved gun regulation to the Legislature. A judge ruled in the cities’ favor in June, but Republican Attorney General Ashley Moody has filed an appeal.

Related:Nikki Fried calls on Attorney General Ashley Moody and Gov. Ron DeSantis to drop gun appeal

Since 1987, Florida has prevented cities from passing regulations that are stricter than the state firearms. DeSantis filed motions in support of the preemption.

Gun control proponents want to close loopholes in background checks, red-flag laws and concealed-weapons licensing.

Gun rights advocates want Florida to become a “constitutional carry” state – no permit required to carry a gun – and to lift restrictions imposed after last year's Parkland high school shooting in Broward County.

Democratic Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who oversees concealed weapons licensing, is throwing the weight of her office behind a measure (HB 809) to create a fingerprint registry of permit holders. It would also require permit holders to complete a gun safety course to renew a license.

“Any type of legislation that will close loopholes is going to stir conversations," she also told reporters after Tuesday's Cabinet meeting. She made clear that she backs "common sense legislation to protect our citizens."

At the same time, she recognized there are "individuals who do not understand (that) what we are doing ... and feel that any type of regulations on guns is an infringement.

"We do not believe that is the case,” she added.  

With the gun preemption law tied up in court, Fried said, the solution to gun violence is in state lawmakers' hands.

“The Legislature is taking up these issues ... We are going to dive into seeing how we can fix this,” said Fried, with a nod to the 60-some gun bills lawmakers have teed up for the January-February session.

“These are things not just for Tallahassee, but for the entire state,” she added.

A day after DeSantis' comments, gun control advocates weighed in through a prepared statement.

“If Governor DeSantis really wants to stop hearing sirens in Tallahassee, he should stop fighting to protect an unconstitutional law that cuts city officials off at the knees," said Jamie Ito, a volunteer with the Florida chapter of Moms Demand Action in Tallahassee. "And while he’s at it, he should throw the full weight of his office behind legislation requiring background checks on all gun sales. ” 

Selected Gun Bills Filed for 2020 Session

• HB 117: Requires concealed weapon permit applicant to undergo a mental health evaluation
• HB 183: Allows elected officials to carry a concealed-weapons into a meeting of a governing body
• HB 245: Prohibits a firearm in any child care facility
• HB 289: Requires background check for sale or transfer of ammunition
• HB 273: Allows persons to carry a concealed firearm without a permit
• HB 6001: Allows a concealed weapon or firearm on a college or university campus
• HB 6003: Lifts minimum age for purchase of firearms, and ban on bump-fire stock
• SB 310: Prohibits 3D-printed firearms
• SB 462: Public records exemption on the purchase or transfer of ammunition
• SB 548: Requires disclosure of non-approval of the sale or transfer of a firearm
• SB 558: Prohibits large-capacity magazines
• SB 586: Permits two concealed weapons permit holders to transfer ownership of a firearm
• SB 634: Creates gun-free zones
• — Prohibits persons convicted of domestic violence to possess firearm or ammunition

Writer James Call can be contacted at jcall@tallahassee.com. Follow him on Twitter @CallTallahassee