An appeal has been filed by Ashley Moody, the attorney general of the state of Florida, in a court ruling that restricts an old law from being applied to current anti-gun measures in legislation.
The Circuit Court Judge for Leon County, Charles Dodson, made the ruling last Friday, July 26th. In a 15 page ruling, Dodson ruled via his interpretation that a 1987 law that disallows localities from making gun laws that are stricter than state law was unconstitutional. Moody vehemently disagrees and seeks to knock down Moody’s ruling.
From floridapolitics.com:
But in 2011, state legislators added penalties — including fines and removal from office — for local officials who violate the preemption measure. Circuit Judge Charles Dodson struck down the penalties Friday.
Those fines could run up to $5,000, and local governments could be forced to pay out up to $100,000 in damages and attorneys’ fees to individuals that sue to challenge such an ordinance.
All this comes in the face of a ballot drive that AG Moody is fighting to prevent that seeks to expand the definition of assault weapons and ban AR-15 style guns. Ashley Moody says this would go too far and actually ban all semi-automatic long guns.
SEE VIDEO FROM CBS MIAMI:
Left-wing proponents of the ban say that Moody is simply trying to appease gun lobbyists although this move comes to most gun owners and second amendment supporters as infringing upon their second amendment rights.
The ballot measure would widen the definition of what constitutes an “assault weapon” to include any semi-automatic rifle or shotgun capable of holding more than 10 rounds of ammunition using a fixed or detachable magazine or that uses an ammunition-feeding device.
A spokeswoman for the attorney general said the language was problematic.
“Regardless of your position on gun restrictions, this proposed ballot language is a trick. The drafters of this proposal have confused voters by creating a misleading definition of ‘assault weapons’ which would include a majority of the most popular hunting rifles and shotguns,” the spokeswoman, Lauren Schenone, said in a statement.
“In effect, the amendment would ban future sales and possession of these hunting rifles and shotguns and require the registration of owners who already possess them.”
Ashley Moody, a Republican, is largely popular among many of her constituents and has an A rating from the NRA. The ‘NRA-ILA’ recently issued an alert informing people on ‘misleading language’ of the proposed bill that seeks to ban certain types of guns and can be read here.
A 2018 tweet from Florida Citizens Alliance can be seen showing support for Ashley Moody’s second amendment policies during her campaign for Attorney General, although they say they don’t endorse, they only inform.
The Florida Citizens’ Alliance (FLCA) is a coalition of citizens and grassroots groups working together through education, outreach and community involvement to advance the ideals and principles of liberty. We believe these include but are not limited to individual rights, free markets, and limited government.
SEE TWEET FROM @FLCA4Liberty BELOW:
Ashley Moody, running for Fl Attorney General, At Alamo Gun Range Meet and Greet. This event was hosted by Florida Citizens Alliance and the Alamo.
— FL Citizens Alliance (@FLCA4Liberty) June 12, 2018
We do not endorse candidates but are just working to help all voters Vote Informed! pic.twitter.com/jRCG2xF8S4