JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Mayor Donna Deegan’s Office said on Friday that a firearm registry policy that’s being questioned by a councilmember was created before she took office.
The mayor’s response comes after Councilman Nick Howland said in an X post on Thursday that the city has maintained an “illegal firearm registry” for nearly two years at City Hall and the Yates building.
News4JAX has confirmed that a member of Florida Carry, a non-profit gun rights advocacy group, reported the original allegation. The group is expected to release a statement later Friday.
Howland said that Floridians should be “outraged.”
“The Deegan Administration has kept a registry of individuals who lawfully carry personal firearms into City Hall--a blatant violation of state law and likely the Constitution. Florida is a ”no registry" state for a reason. Violating that law carries steep penalties," Howland wrote.
Former Mayor Lenny Curry sent a letter warning that if true, this policy could expose the city and taxpayers to lawsuits.
Howland also said he asked the Mayor’s Office, Office of General Counsel, and Public Works to attend the Rules Committee meeting on May 5 at 2 p.m. to discuss the alleged illegal firearm registry.
“What we know is that since July 2023, when this administration took office, it’s apparently been collecting names and personal information of people who’ve brought legally owned firearms into City Hall and the Yates Building,” Howland said. “What we don’t know is who gave that directive. Was it someone who is a contract administrator within public works, or does it go high up in the administration?”
Mayor Donna Deegan’s office released a statement in response to the allegations.
The policy in question was created and written before Mayor Deegan took office. In light of the issue that has been raised, we are undergoing a review of all policy directives, particularly those from the previous administration that were left for us on their way out. Mayor Deegan and the leadership of her administration fully support constitutionally protected rights.
As we stated yesterday, the City of Jacksonville has received and complied with a subpoena from the State Attorney’s Office. Out of respect and in full cooperation with their review, we do not have further comment at this time.
Mayor Donna Deegan's Office
News4JAX also reached out to the State Attorney’s Office and said it “cannot confirm whether a subpoena was issued or whether there is an investigation.”
News4JAX obtained public records showing internal questions about Florida’s new permitless carry law--also known as House Bill 543--that were already circulating on Mayor Deegan’s first days in office. The state’s permitless carry law took effect the same day Mayor Deegan began her term.
Records we’ve obtained so far don’t contain anything regarding a gun registry. We’ve asked for that document and city officials said they’re working to send it to us.
Howland also said he hasn’t seen the policy.
Councilmember Matt Carlucci released a statement on the matter.
“Councilmembers and outside actors should step back from jumping to conclusions before all the facts and details are known,” Carlucci said. “Time has a way of sorting things out fairly.”