Violent Crime & Firearm Use in St. Petersburg and Pinellas Co. FL

St. Petersburg summary: Over a three year period, 2015-17 data on violent crime reveals:

  • 55% of criminal homicides involved a firearm
  • 2% of sex offenses involved a firearm
  • 36% of robberies involved a firearm
  • 29% of aggravated assaults involved a firearm
  • ** 29% of all violent crimes involved a firearm

Pinellas County summary: Over a 22 year period, 1996-2017 data on violent crime reveals:

  • 55% of murders involved a firearm, a pattern that trended upward during the period
  • 12% of manslaughters involved a firearm; pattern trended downward during a period
  • 1% of forcible sex crimes involved a firearm
  • 32% of robberies involved a firearm
  • 16% of aggravated assaults involved a firearm; pattern trended upward during a period

St. Petersburg Data: 2015-17       

  2015 2016 2017 Annual totals/average % of category
Criminal homicide 17 28 24 69/23
Firearm involved 10 15 13 38/13 55%
Sex offenses 185 122 136 443/148
Firearm involved 3 1 4 8/2.7 2%
Robbery 573 556 499 1628/543
Firearm involved 182 212 195 589/196 36%
Aggravated assault 1126 1029 1187 3342/1114
Firearm involved 329 308 337 974/325 29%
Total violent crimes 1898 1727 1846 5471/1824
Firearm involved 524 535 549 1608/536 29%

Sources:

  1. FL Dept. of Law Enforcement, FL Uniform Crime Reports 2015-17, provided by St. Petersburg Police Department
  2. Centers for Disease Control data by county
    https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/states/florida/florida.htm
  3. Centers for Disease Control, Firearm Mortality Data https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/firearm_mortality/firearm.htm
  4. FL Dept. of Law Enforcement, Crime Data by Jurisdiction 1996-2017
    http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/FSAC/Data-Statistics/UCR-Offense-Data.aspx
  5. FL Dept. of Law Enforcement Uniform Crime Statistics, Domestic Violence
    http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/FSAC/Data-Statistics/UCR-Domestic-Violence

Best Practices in Preventing Gun Violence

We believe that gun violence is a public health crisis and that we must figure out ways to live with guns while 1) employing measures to make them safer and 2) keeping them out of the hands of those who may cause harm to themselves or others.  We’ve examined a few of the programs which seek to address these issues at the local level.

The program most successful in reducing violent crime and gang violence:

Group Violence Intervention, aka Ceasefire

Goal:  To reduce violent crime and gang violence through a strategy of prevention, intervention and suppression.
History:  First demonstrated as Operation Ceasefire in Boston in 1996.  The original strategy was sponsored by the National Institute of Justice and co-directed by David M. Kennedy, Anthony Braga and Anne M. Piehl of Harvard University.  The program is now affiliated with the National Network for Safe Communities and has been implemented nationally in over 30 cities.  Different cities call the program by different titles.

Facts You Should Know:
Core Elements of Program:  GVI has repeatedly demonstrated that violence can be dramatically reduced when a partnership of community members, law enforcement and social service providers directly engages with the small and active number of people involved in street groups and clearly communicates a credible moral message against violence, prior notice about the consequences of further violence, and a genuine offer of help for those who want it.  Research on the GVI method has found a profound connection between serious violence and highly active criminal groups.  A typical city-level finding is that groups representing under 0.5% of the city’s population will be connected as offenders, victims or both in 50-75% of all homicides in the city.

  1. “Call-ins” are a central method of communication. They create an opportunity for offenders serving probation and parole sentences for violent crimes and currently involved with gangs/groups to meet resource partners and law enforcement officers face to face.  Offenders attend call-ins by “invitation only.”  If you get an invitation it means you and your group are already on local, state & federal radars.
  2. “Pulling Levers:” Each participant is warned that from this point forward, she/he is targeted for vigorous prosecution if the violence does not stop. Those who participate/cooperate are offered incentives such as assistance with job training, housing, childcare, relocation, getting driver’s license, help clearing warrants, mentoring, etc. depending on the resources of the city.
  3. It is vital that those who participate/cooperate are connected with assistance promised.  The program seeks to reduce recidivism and future arrests.

Evaluations:
* The majority of cities participating in GVI programs reported reductions in homicides and shootings.  In Boston, the city that developed Ceasefire, the average monthly number of youth homicides dropped by 63 percent in the two years after it was launched.  In Pittsburgh, homicides hit a 12 year low in 2017.  In Newburgh NY, shootings went from 55 victims in 2015 to 17 in 2017.  Oakland CA began the program in 2012 with 126 murders; in 2017 the total was 74.  New Haven CT went from 13 homicides in 2016 to 7 in 2017.  Law enforcement officials credit GVI strategy for the declines.
* A Campbell Collaboration systematic review of focused deterrence strategies known as “pulling levers” found a statistically significant positive effect on reducing crime.  Group/ gang intervention programs had the largest effect.
* The National Institute of Justice’s Crime Solutions website gives the program its highest evidence rating, one of few programs which received the designation.  Details at www.crimesolutions.gov

For More Information:  

  1. National Network for Safe Communities, “Group Violence Intervention,” https://nnscommunities.org/our-work/strategy/group-violence-intervention
  2. Lois Beckett, “How the Gun Control Debate Ignores Black Lives,” Pro Publica, Nov. 24 2015.  https://www.propublica.org/article/how-the-gun-control-debate-ignores-black-lives
  3. Anthony Braga and David Weisburd, “The effects of ‘pulling levers’ focused deterrence strategies on crime,” Campbell Collaboration, March 4 2012.  https://www.campbellcollaboration.org/library/pulling-levers-focused-deterrence-strategies-effects-on-crime.html

Programs which complement GVI:
Becoming a Man

The Youth Guidance organization creates and implements school-based programs to help youth overcome obstacles, focus on education, and succeed in life.

  • The program was originated in 1969 in Chicago schools, focusing on young men in disadvantaged communities. The programs are based on weekly group sessions, individual and family counseling, and linkage to services. There is also a component for workforce development and job readiness, including job placement, high school support, and college prep.
  • In 2017, the program was implemented in Boston.
  • There is also a program for young women: WOW (Working on Womanhood.)

Evaluation:  A study by the University of Chicago Urban Lab covering the period from 2013-2015 showed a 50% reduction in violent crime arrests, a 35% reduction in total arrests, and increased on-time high school graduation of 19% in areas where the program operates.

For more information: 

  1. Youth Guidance, “Becoming A Man,” www.youthguidance.org/bam/
  2. Reducing Violence and Increasing Graduation, University of Chicago Urban Lab https://urbanlabs.uchicago.edu/projects/becoming-a-man

Cure Violence, a public health model

The program operates on the premise that like an infectious disease, violence is better understood and more successfully treated as an epidemic. Violence is treated using methods and strategies associated with disease control.  Methods include:  deleting and interrupting transmission/conflicts, identifying and treating high-risk individuals to reduce disease/violence, and changing community & social mores.

  • To Interrupt Transmission – The program utilizes outreach workers who are highly trained, live in the community, are known to high-risk people, and are culturally appropriate, similar to indigenous workers used in the public health model. They are trained to detect potential shooting events, mediate conflicts, and keep safe in dangerous situations.
  • Identifying and Changing the Thinking of Highest Risk Potential Transmitters – They act as mentors and provide multiple weekly counseling sessions and social services regarding drug abuse, housing, employment assistance, as well as providing conflict resolution when there has been a shooting, visiting shooting victims at hospitals to begin the process and avoid escalation.
  • Changing Social Mores – They utilize public education, community events, responses to shootings, and community mobilization to change group and community norms related to the use of firearms. They educate on health elements such as: the neurological effects of violence, public health intervention, socio-behavioral science, and violence as a contagion (example:  intergenerational transmission).
  • Coordination with law enforcement –Foster understanding that the program and law enforcement are both working on the same issue, primarily interested in reducing violence, focused as working with the community and relying on data to guide implementation.
  • The program operates in several cities including Philadelphia, New York City, Baltimore, and Chicago.

Evaluations:
There have been numerous independent studies of Cure Violence programs documenting the results of the programs.  For example:  The John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City research and evaluation of Cure Violence, NYC in 2017 showed there was a 30% reduction in shootings compared to previous years, a 37-50% reduction in gun injuries in two of the communities participating, and a 63% reduction in one other community.  There was also an 18% reduction in killings across 13 Cure Violence sites.
For information on other studies, visit http://cureviolence.org/results/scientific-evaluations/

Gun safety campaigns:
Safe Firearm Storage – Best Practices

We have a problem:
A 2016 survey by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health concluded that 54% of gun owners do not practice safe storage.  1/3 of handguns are kept loaded and unlocked.  75% of guns used in youth suicide attempts and unintentional shootings are stored in the residence of the victim, relative or friend.  

To reduce firearm injury, the safest home is one without firearms.  If firearms are in a home, locking, unloading, and separating ammunition can significantly reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of a child being harmed.

Key characteristics of effective campaigns:

  • Clinical intervention, especially among pediatricians, to promote safe firearm storage; consultations following a psychiatric crisis are particularly effective at prompting parents to practice safe storage.
  • Free distribution of gun locks are most effective at actually getting people to safely store firearms.
  • Broad community engagement is needed; partnering with groups that garner respect among gun owners is particularly effective (law enforcement, hunting & outdoor organizations, active-duty military, NRA).
  • Educational component, like the BeSMART program.

One model program is the Broward Co. FL’s Lock-It Up program started in 2018 by the local League of Women Voters.  They’ve formed a broad coalition of pediatricians, mental health providers, preschools, churches, organizations like Moms Demand Action, and governmental institutions. Visit our Legislation post for effective legislative solutions.

Every 16 hours an intimate partner with a gun kills a woman in the U.S.  Domestic violence assaults involving a gun are 12 times more likely to end in death than assaults with other weapons.

Summary: 

In St. Petersburg during the 3 year period 2015-17, domestic violence was involved in:

  • 14.5% of criminal homicides
  • 24% of sex offenses
  • 27% of aggravated assaults
  • 51.5% of simple assault, threats, and stalking

We do not know how frequently firearms were used in domestic violence.  If the frequency of firearm use for each category above holds true for domestic violence, we can estimate that:

  • over half of criminal homicides involving domestic violence involved a firearm
  • one-quarter of sex offenses & aggravated assaults involved a firearm

In St. Petersburg during the 3 year period 2015-17, in instances of violent crime involving domestic violence, arrests were made 54% of the time.  In instances of simple assault, threats and stalking involving domestic violence, arrests were made 40% of the time.
In the state of Florida, the murder rate in domestic violence cases rose from 162 in 2017 to 196 in 2018 or 20.9 %.  Rape cases increased by 13% from 1580 to 1783 during this period.

Sources:

  1. Centers for Disease Control data by county
    https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/states/florida/florida.htm
  2. Centers for Disease Control, Firearm Mortality Data
    https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/firearm_mortality/firearm.htm
  3. FL Dept. of Law Enforcement, Crime Data by Jurisdiction 1996-2017
    http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/FSAC/Data-Statistics/UCR-Offense-Data.aspx
  4. FL Dept. of Law Enforcement Uniform Crime Statistics, Domestic Violence
    http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/FSAC/Data-Statistics/UCR-Domestic-Violence

        – updated January 2020

Facts You Should Know:

  • Nationwide, suicides account for over 60% of firearm-related deaths. 
  • Suicide is often an impulsive act and guns are a devastatingly effective means of ending one’s life.
  • Firearms are used in approximately half of all suicides. Between 2015-17 there were 591 suicides in Pinellas County with 52% involving the use of a firearm.  Between Jan 1 2013 and June 30 2018, there were 137 suicides involving a firearm in St. Petersburg.


SUICIDE DATA:
Suicides in Pinellas County
5 years between 2012-2016          982 suicide deaths, an average of 196/year
2014                                       195  (17.3 suicides per 100,000 population)
2015                                       199 (18 suicides per 100,000 population)
2016                                       214 (19.6 suicides per 100,000 population)
2017                                       178  (16.9 suicides per 100,000 population)
Summary:  Suicides trended upward in the county between 2012-2016 dropping significantly in 2017. 
Suicides in Florida
2014               3035  (13.8 suicides per 100,000 population)
2015               3152  (14.5 suicides per 100,000 population)
2016               3122  (14.1 suicides per 100,000 population)
2017               3187  (14.1 suicides per 100,000 population)
Summary:  The national age-adjusted suicide rate was 13.5 per 100,000 population
in 2016; in Florida it was 14 per 100,000; in Pinellas County it was 19.6 per 100,000. 
Suicide was the 10th leading cause of death in Florida, placing Florida 21st in the nation.


FIREARM DEATH DATA:
Firearm Deaths in Florida
2014               2410
2015               2559
2016               2704
Summary:  The firearm death rate in Florida in 2016 was 12.6 per 100,000, higher than the nation’s 11.8 per 100,000 rate.


SUICIDE BY FIREARM DATA:
Suicides by Firearm in St. Petersburg
During the 5.5 years from Jan. 1, 2013 – June 30, 2018, there were 137 suicides by firearms.

Suicides by Firearm in Pinellas County
2015-17 total suicides (see annual data above)             591
2015-17 suicides by firearm                                               307  
Summary:  52% of suicides during this 3-year period involved a firearm; this
equates to 8.4 per 100,000 population.  (data from www.flhealthcharts.com
under profile of fatal injuries)

Suicides by Firearm in Florida (all data is per 100,000 population)
Year   Rate of firearm death     Rate of suicides              % of suicides using firearms
2012  8.01                                        15.52                                         51.61%
2013  8.0                                           14.95                                        53.51%
2014  7.73                                        15.26                                         50.66%
2015  8.05                                        15.83                                        50.85%
2016   8.1                                          14.1                                           57%
Summary:  53% of suicides during this 5-year period involved a firearm.

Sources:

  1. Centers for Disease Control “Fatal Injury Data”
    https://www.cdc.gov/injury/wisqars/fatal.html
  2. Centers for Disease Control “Suicide Mortality by State”
    https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/suicide-mortality/suicide.htm
  3. Centers for Disease Control searchable database for “underlying cause of death” https://wonder.cdc.gov/controller/datarequest/D76;jsessionid=702709C6F4D24E3EBE05475813D1161A
  4. Florida Health Charts, Suicide Deaths, Pinellas County
    http://www.flhealthcharts.com/charts/DataViewer/DeathViewer/DeathViewer.aspx?indNumber=0116
  5. Florida Health Charts, Suicide Deaths Pinellas County / 3 yr rolling rates, age-adj.http://www.flhealthcharts.com/charts/DataViewer/DeathViewer/DeathViewer.aspx?indNumber=0116
  6. St. Petersburg Police Department data on suicides by firearms obtained August 2018
  7. Study by Governing magazine using data from the National Center for Health Statistics: 
    http://www.governing.com/gov-data/health/county-suicide-death-rates-map.html 

2020 Florida Proposed Gun Legislation

2020 Florida Proposed Gun Legislation… status as of 17 March at the conclusion of the legislative session.
* SMART legislation: promotes gun safety
For details on legislation in both houses, visit https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bills/2020 

SENATE

Bill #/ Position Sponsor(s) Description Status
SB94 

SMART legislation*

 

Companion HB451

 

 

 

 Book; filed 8/2/19 Transfers of Firearms;Requires transfer of firearms to be conducted through a licensed dealer 8/16 Referred to Judiciary; Criminal Justice; Rules 

9/19  Referral changed to Infrastructure and Security, Criminal Justice; Rules; now in Infrastructure & Security

1/14 Introduced – SJ12

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB114
SMART legislation 

 

Companion HB47

 Berman & Cruz; filed 8/6/19 Risk protection orders: redefines term “petitioner” to include person who has biological or legal parent-child relationship, legal guardian of or who’s a spouse or sibling of respondent 8/16 Referred to Infrastructure and  Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ13

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB134 

SMART legislation

 

Companion bill:

HB6009

 Taddeo; filed 8/14/19 Repeals preemption of firearms and ammunition regulations to the Legislature, to the exclusion of local jurisdictions 9/3 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ14

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB266 

SMART legislation

 Farmer; filed 9/12/19 Safe storage of loaded firearms; revises the locations and circumstances in which a loaded firearm is required to be kept or secured with a trigger lock; deleting conditions that pertain to the crime of failing to safely store or secure a loaded firearm. 10/15 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Criminal Justice; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ23

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB270 

SMART legislation

 Farmer; filed 9/12/19 Sale and delivery of firearms; requires parties to complete the sale, lease, or transfer through a licensed dealer; authorizes licensed dealer to charge a buyer or transferee fees 10/15 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ23

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security

 
  

 

      
SB310 

SMART legislation

 Stewart; filed 9/17/19 3-D printed firearms; prohibits printing, transferring, importing, distributing, selling, possessing, or giving to another person certain 3D-printed firearms; requires persons in possession of such firearms to relinquish them or to destroy them before the prohibition takes effect 10/15 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ25

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB370
SMART
legislation		 Cruz; filed 9/25 Safe school officers; requires school district boards to provide approval before certain charter schools employ school resource and safety officers; authorizes school districts to oversee, manage and establish best practices for employment of said officers within district 10/15 Referred to Education; Infrastructure & Security; Rules 

1/14 Introduced-SJ28

3/14 Died in Education
       
SB398 

SMART legislation

 

Companion bill HB245

 

 

 Berman & Rodriguez; filed 9/30 Concealed weapons and firearms; prohibits concealed weapon or firearm licensee from openly carrying a handgun or carrying a concealed weapon or firearm into any child care facility, etc. 10/15 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ31

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB428 

SMART legislation

 Braynon & Rodriguez; filed 10/2 Prohibited places for weapons and firearms; revises locations where concealed firearms licensee is prohibited from openly carrying a handgun or carrying a concealed firearm 10/15 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ33

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB460 

SMARTlegislation

 

Companion HB289

 Book; filed 10/4 Sales of ammunition; requires background checks for the sale or transfer of ammunition; providing exceptions 10/15 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ35

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB462 

SMART legislation

 

 Book; filed 10/4 Public records/buyer or transferee/ammunition; provides exemption from public records requirements for records containing certain information 10/15 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Governmental Oversight and Accountability; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ35

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB548 

SMART legislation

 Rodriguez; filed 10/17 Firearms; requires the Department of Law Enforcement to include on standard form certain questions concerning potential firearm buyer’s or transferee’s criminal history and other information related to eligibility to make firearm purchase; requiring department to notify certain law enforcement agencies when potential sale or transfer receives a non-approval 11/1 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ42

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB558 

SMART legislation

 Bracy; filed 10/17 Large-capacity magazines; defines “large-capacity magazine”; prohibits sale, transfer, or possession of large-capacity magazines; provides criminal penalties & exceptions 11/1 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Criminal Justice; Appropriations 

1/14 Introduced – SJ43

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB586 

SMART legislation

 Rodriguez; filed 10/18 Firearms; requires that, if neither party to a firearm sale or transfer is a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer, all other sales or transfers may be conducted only between two persons who have valid concealed weapons or firearms licenses 11/6 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ45

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB634 

SMART legislation

 

 Powell; filed 10/23 Lawful ownership, possession, and use of firearms and weapons; prohibits person from owning, possessing, and lawfully using firearms, ammunition and supplies while engaging in certain lawful uses if within specified distance of real property of certain locations, etc. 11/6 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ48

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB652 

SMART legislation

 

Companion bills

HB201, SB1802

 Criminal Justice, Pizzo filed 10/24 Urban Core Gun Violence Task Force; Creating the Urban Core Gun Violence Task Force; specifying duties and powers of the task force; authorizing the task force to seek assistance from state agencies; providing for access to certain information and records, etc. 11/6 Referred to Criminal Justice; Appropriations SC on Criminal and Civil Justice; Appropriations -SJ 49 

1/14 Introduced-SJ49

1/28 CS by Criminal Justice YEA 4 NAY 0-SJ214

1/29 Pending reference review under rule 4.7(2) Committee Substitute; CS by Criminal Justice read 1st time – SJ218

1/31 In Appropriations SC on Criminal & Civil Justice

2/18 Subcommittee Recommendation: CS/CS by Appropriations SC on Criminal & Civil Justice YEA 8 NAY 0

2/20 In Appropriations

3/14 Died in Appropriations
       
SB718 

SMART legislation

 Berman (co-introducer Cruz); filed 10/31 

 

SMART legislation

 Domestic Violence; Prohibits certain acts of domestic & dating violence; revises prohibition on sale/transfer of firearms to persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence offenses; prohibits persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence from possessing firearm or ammunition 11/18 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ55

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB728 

 

Companion bill HB311

 Stargel, co-introducer Hutson; filed 11/1 Threats; decreases criminal penalty for threatening to discharge w/ intent to do bodily harm; prohibits threats to use a firearm or weapon with specified intent; provides criminal penalties. 11/21 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Criminal Justice; Appropriations 

1/13 CS by Infrastructure YEA 7 NAY 0

1/14 Introduced – SJ56

1/15 Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) (Committee Substitute)

1/23 CS by Infrastructure & Security read 1st time -SJ186

2/4 CS/CS by Criminal Justice YEA 5 NAY 0-SJ239

2/5 Pending reference review – committee substitute

2/6 CS/CS by Criminal Justice read 1st time-SJ245

2/10 Now in Appropriations

3/3 Favorable by Appropriations YEA 21 NAY 0-SJ411; placed on calendar, on 2nd reading; placed on Special Order Calendar 3/5-SJ461

3/5 Read 2nd time-SJ449; amendments adopted (161760)-SJ449; ordered engrossed-SJ449; placed on 3rd reading

3/6 Read 3rd time-SJ483; CS passed as amended; YEA 39 NAY 0-SJ483

3/6 In messages

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
SB794 

SMART legislation

 Stewart; filed 11/6 Large-capacity Magazines; Prohibits import, distribution, transport, transfer, sale, or gift within state; provides criminal penalties; prohibits possession of large-capacity magazines; provides exceptions. 11/21 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Criminal Justice; Rules 

1/14 Introduced – SJ60

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB1208 

SMART legislation

 Farmer; filed12/11 Prohibits sale or transfer of Assault Weapons & Large-Capacity Magazines 12/18 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Criminal Justice; Rules 

1/14 Introduced-SJ88

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB1248 

SMART legislation

 

Companion HB923

 Torres; filed 12/16 Safe storage of firearms for licensed importers, manufacturers, and dealersunder certain circumstances; provides for inspection. 1/8 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Criminal Justice; Rules 

1/14 Introduced-SJ91

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB1300 

SMART legislation

 Stewart; filed 12/19 Prohibits Assault Weapon import, distribution, etc. Requires certificates of possession for assault weapons lawfully possessed before specified date. 1/8 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Criminal Justice; Rules 

1/14 Introduced-SJ95

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB1524 

 

Companion HB183

 Gainer; filed 1/8 Authorizing elected members of specified governing bodies who are concealed weapon or firearm licensees to carry a concealed weapon or firearm to a meeting of the governing body of which he or she is a member, etc. 1/13 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/14 Introduced-SJ112

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB1540 

SMART legislation

 

Companion HB1243

 Simmons, filed 1/8 Domestic Violence; Requires a court to order a defendant arrested for an act of domestic violence not to possess firearms or ammunition as a condition of bail; requires Dept of Law Enforcement, upon receipt of a request for a criminal history record check, to determine if potential firearm buyer/transferee has been charged with domestic violence or has an outstanding warrant issued for an act of domestic violence and is prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition, etc. 1/13 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Criminal Justice; Rules 

1/14 Introduced-SJ115

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB1566 

SMART legislation

 Braynon; filed 1/8 Concealed Weapons Licensing; Decreasing # years that licenses to carry concealed weapons are valid; specifying that firearm experience  thru military service in US Armed Forces meets requirement of demonstrating firearm competence; requiring that the full set of fingerprints submitted with application be retained; requiring  Dept of Agriculture and Consumer Services to bear the licensee’s fingerprint retention fee, etc. 1/13 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/14 Introduced-SJ117

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB1622 

SMART legislation

 Book; filed 1/9 Risk protection orders:  Authorizing law enforcement officer to execute a court order on any day and at any time; authorizing a court to remove the right to purchase, own, sell, or possess firearms or ammunition or to possess a license to carry concealed weapons of a person found to be incapacitated; requiring the Dept of Law Enforcement, in certain cases, to investigate individuals upon whom a firearm disability is imposed and, if the individuals are in possession of firearms or ammunition, to seize the firearms and ammunition, etc. 1/17 Referred to Infrastructure and Security; Judiciary; Rules 

1/22 Introduced -SJ 159

3/14 Died in infrastructure & security
       
SB1802 

SMART legislation

 

Companion bills

HB201, SB652

 Criminal Justice, Pizzo 

Filed 1/10

 Public Meetings/Urban Core Gun Violence Task Force; Providing an exemption from public meetings requirements for portions of the Urban Core Gun Violence Task Force meetings at which exempt or confidential and exempt information is discussed 1/17 Referred to Criminal Justice, Govt Oversight & Accountability; Rules 

1/22 Introduced-SJ175

1/28 CS by Criminal Justice YEA 4 NAY 0 –SJ229

1/30 Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) committee substitute

2/4 CS by Criminal Justice read 1st time – SJ235

2/10 CS/CS by Govt Oversight & Accountability YEA 5 NAY 0 – SJ269

2/11 Pending reference review under Rule 4.7(2) (committee substitute)

2/12 Now in Rules; CS/CS by Govt Oversight read 1st time- SJ277

3/2 Favorable by Rules YEA 17 NAY 0-SJ411

3/3 Placed on calendar, on 2nd reading

3/9 Placed on Special Order Calendar, 3/11

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
SB1846 

SMART legislation

 

Companion HB6049

 Powell; filed 1/13 Use of Deadly Force in Defense of a Person; Repealing STAND YOUR GROUND a provision relating to home protection and the use or threatened use of deadly force, which creates a presumption of fear of death or great bodily harm in certain circumstances and provides that a person has no duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground and meet force with force in certain circumstances, etc 1/17 Referred to Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Rules 

1/22 Introduced -SJ 179

3/14 Died in Criminal Justice
       
SB7028 

SMART legislation

 

Related to SB7030

 Infrastructure & Security; filed 1/14 Public Safety: works to close Gun Show Loophole; improve Safe Storage of Loaded Firearms; develops 

Statewide Strategy for Targeted Violence Prevention

 1/6 Submitted for consideration by Infrastructure & Security; on committee agenda 

1/13 Submitted as committee bill; reported favorably YEA 7 / NAY 0

1/14 filed

1/17 Referred to Judiciary; Appropriations

1/22 Introduced -SJ 184

3/14 Died in Judiciary
       
SB7030 

Related to SB7028

 Infrastructure (& Security; filed 1/22 Public Safety: requires emergency personnel to disclose certain confidential communications to law enforcement to communicate a threat; authorizes a person not licensed or who chooses not to use a licensed dealer to facilitate private sale of his or her firearm to sell firearm if specified requirements are met 1/22 Introduced – SJ 184 

3/14 Died in Governmental Oversight and Accountability

 

HOUSE

Bill #/ Position Sponsor(s) Description Status
HB47
SMART legislation		 Stark & Fernandez; Good; Polsky filed 8/12/19 Risk protection orders: redefines term “petitioner” to include person who has biological or legal parent-child relationship, legal guardian of or who’s a spouse or sibling of respondent 9/23 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee, Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary 

1/14 Introduced-HJ11

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB117 

SMART legislation

 Jacquet; filed 9/5/19 Concealed firearm licensing; requires applicant to have undergone mental health evaluation & determined to be competent or provide letter from specified profession as to competency. 9/23 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ15

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB183 

 

Companion bill SB1524

 Ponder, co-introducers Donalds, Stone; filed 9/17/19 Prohibited places for weapons and firearms; authorizes elected member of specified governing body who holds license to carry concealed firearms to meeting of governing body of which he or she is member. 9/25 Referred to Criminal Justice SC; Local, Fed & Vet Affairs SC; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ20

1/28 CS by Criminal Justice SC YEA 11 NAY 3-HJ471

1/29 Pending review of CS under Rule 7.18(c)

1/30 Now in Local, Fed & Vet Affairs SC; CS by Criminal Justice SC read 1st time-HJ467

2/3 Favorable by Local, Fed & Vet YEA 10 NAY 1-HJ486

2/6 Favorable by Judiciary Committee YEA 11 NAY 4

2/7 Placed on Calendar

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB201 

SMART legislation

 

Companion Bills SB652, SB1802

 Criminal Justice SC ; Jones ; Antone ; (CO-INTRODUCERS) Brown ; Cortes ; Eskamani ; Fernandez ; Joseph ; Polo ; Smith, C. Gun Violence Reduction; Creates Urban Core Gun Violence Task Force; provides for membership, staff support, duties & powers, annual reports, & repeal of task force; creates Florida Firearm Violence Reduction Pilot Program; authorizes FDLE to provide grants to specified number of counties to implement pilot program. 9/19 filed 

9/25 Referred to Criminal Justice SC; Justice Appropriation SC; Judiciary Committee -HJ 22

1/14 Introduced-HJ22

2/3 CS by Criminal Justice SC; YEA 14 NAY 0 -HJ 50

2/5 Pending review of CS under Rule 7.18(c); CS by Criminal Justice SC read 1st time –HJ496

2/6 Now in Justice Appropriations SC

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB245 

SMART legislation

 

Companion bill SB398

 

 

 Polo & Hill (co-introducers); Fernandez; Good; Polsky; filed 9/30 Concealed weapons and firearms; prohibits concealed weapon or firearm licensee from openly carrying handgun or carrying concealed weapon or firearm into any child care facility. 10/10 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Children, Families and Seniors Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ24

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB273 Sabatini & Hill (co-introducers); McClain; filed 10/1 Carrying of firearms; removes requirement that license to carry concealed firearm is required in order to carry such firearm; limits areas in which concealed carrying of firearm is prohibited; revises criminal penalties; revises provisions relating to carrying of concealed weapons by nonresidents; provides for issuance of concealed carry licenses for reciprocity purposes; specifies that person not otherwise prohibited by law may own, possess, & lawfully use firearms & ammunition for lawful purposes. 10/14 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ26

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB289 

SMART legislation

 

Companion

SB460

 

 Daley & DuBose (co-introducers); Eskamani; Fernandez; Geller; Gottlieb; Jacobs; Jones; Polo; Polsky; Smith,C; filed 10/4 Sales of ammunition; requires background checks for sale or transfer of ammunition. 

 

 

 

 10/16 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary 

1/14 Introduced-HJ27

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB291 Daley; filed 10/4 Public records/sales of ammunition; provides exemption from public records requirements for records containing certain information pertaining to buyer or transferee who is not found to be prohibited from receipt or transfer of ammunition; provides for future legislative review & repeal of exemption 10/16 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Oversight, Transparency and Public Management Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ28

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB311 

Companion SB728

 Criminal Justice SC; Massullo; filed 10/8 Threats; amends existing legislation which prohibits threats to use firearm or weapon with specified intent. 10/16 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ29

2/3 CS by Criminal Justice SC YEA 14 NAY 0 – HJ504

2/5 Pending review of CS under Rule 7.18(c); CS by Criminal Justice SC read 1st time-HJ496

2/11 Favorable by Justice Appropriation SC YEA 11 NAY 1; Now in Judiciary HJ549

2/26 CS/CS by Judiciary YEA 16 NAY 1-HJ677

2/27 Pending review of CS-under Rule 7.18(c); CS/CS by Judiciary read 1st time-HJ669

2/28 Placed on Calendar –HJ681

3/3 Placed on Special Order Calendar, 3/6

3/6 Temporarily postponed, on 2ndreading-HJ891

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB353 

WITHDRAWN
SMART legislation

 

 Bell; filed 10/15 Weapons and firearms; provides that petition for involuntary examination serves as petition for risk protection order in certain circumstances and provides for confiscation of firearms & ammunition; requires minimum mandatory term of imprisonment for person convicted of felony while owning or having in his or her possession or control firearm, ammunition, or electronic weapon or device. 10/23 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/9 Withdrawn from committees;

Withdrawn prior to introduction-HJ32
       
HB451 

SMART legislation

 Good (co-introducer Polo); filed 10/24 Weapons & Firearms; Requires all sales/transfers be conducted through a licensed firearm dealer & persons involved in the sale or transfer subject to background checks. 10/30 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ38

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB499 

SMART legislation

 Eskamani (co-introducers Casello; Cortes; Daley; Hogan Johnson; Polo; Smith, C.; filed 10/31 Domestic Violence; Revises prohibition on sale/transfer of firearms to persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence; prohibits persons convicted of misdemeanor offense from possessing firearm/ammo; requires persons convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence to surrender all firearms/ammo; provides requirements for law enforcement carrying out court order & taking possession of firearms & ammo; requires law enforcement to develop policies & procedures; authorizes defendant to transfer all firearms/ammo to another person. 11/15 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ42

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB627 

SMART legislation

 Smith, C; filed 10/1 Assault Weapons/ Large-Capacity Magazines; Prohibits sale, transfers, possession; provides exceptions; requires certificates of possession if lawfully possessed before specified date; provides conditions for continued possession; requires certificates of transfer; provides for relinquishment; provides requirements for transportation; provides enhanced criminal penalties for certain offenses when committed with assault weapon or large-capacity magazine. 11/25 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ51

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB629 

Linked to HB627

 Smith, C; filed 11/13 Pub. Rec./Personal Identifying Information of Assault Weapon or Large-Capacity Magazine Possession Certificate holder; Provides exemption from public records requirements; provides for access to exempt information for specified purposes. 11/25 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Oversight, Transparency and Public Management Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ51
       
HB631 

SMART legislation

 

Companion S266

 Polsky; filed 11/13 Sale, Transfer, Storage of Firearms; Revises requirements for storage; provides criminal penalties if minor accesses stored firearm & uses it in specified ways; revises definition of “minor”; requires seller or transferor of firearm to provide specified information; provides immunity for certain providers of information; revises standard for adults & minors to be criminally negligent. 11/25 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Business and Professions Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ52

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB809 

SMART legislation

 Fernandez & Smith,C ; filed 11/26 Licenses to Carry Concealed Weapons or Firearms; Reduces term/fee of license to carry; requires retention of fingerprints in specified state system; requires proof of completion of firearms training or safety course or class meeting specified requirements to renew license. 12/16 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ69

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB885 

SMART legislation

 Polo, Fernandez, & Smith,C; filed 12/9 State Preemption of Firearm and Ammunition Regulation; Specifies that local government entity is not preempted from regulating sale of firearms or ammunition on property owned by that entity 12/12 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Local, Federal and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ75

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB923 

SMART legislation

 

Companion SB1248

 Goff-Marcil & Mercado; filed 12/11 Safe Storage of Firearms;Provides firearm storage requirements for licensed importers, manufacturers, & dealers; authorizes inspections. 12/12 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Business and Professions Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ79
       
HB1243 

SMART legislation

 

Companion SB1540

 Brown & Smith,C; filed 1/9 Domestic Violence; Requires court to order defendant arrested for act of domestic violence not to possess firearms or ammunition as condition of bail; prohibits individual with outstanding warrant for domestic violence from possessing firearm or ammunition; authorizes court to issue arrest warrant for act of domestic violence. 1/14 Introduced-HJ111 

1/17 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB1437 Williamson, Trumbull; filed 1/14 

Co introducers added Andrade; Donalds; Drake; Hill; Roach; Sabatini; Stone; Yarborough

 Safety of Religious Institutions; Authorizes church, synagogue, or other religious institution to allow concealed weapon licensee to carry firearm on its property 1/14 Introduced-HJ128 

1/17 Referred to Criminal Justice SC; Education Committee; Judiciary Committee

1/28 CS by Criminal Justice SC YEA 12 NAY 2- HJ472

1/29 Pending review of CS under rule 7.18(c)

1/30 CS by Criminal Justice SC read 1st time –HJ469

2/6 Favorable by Education Committee YEA 15 NAY 1;

Now in Judiciary

2/26 Favorable by Judiciary YEA 12 NAY 5; placed on calendar-HJ677

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB6001 Sabatini & Hill; McClain; filed 8/8/19 Campus carry/licenses to carry concealed firearms; removes provision prohibiting concealed carry licensees from openly carrying handgun or carrying concealed firearm into college or university facility. 9/23 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Higher Education and Career Readiness Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ257

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB6003 Hill & Sabatini; McClain; filed 8/9/19 Firearms; removes the following provisions: 1) authorizing seizure of firearms from persons in certain circumstances, 2) prohibition on firearms ownership or possession until removal of firearm possession & firearm ownership disability, 3) prohibition on persons younger than 21 years of age from purchasing firearms, 4) certain exemptions from firearms purchase waiting period, 5) ban on bump-fire stock, & 6) statute authorizing risk protection orders. 9/23 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ258

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration
       
HB6009 

SMART legislation

 

Companion Bill: SB134

 Daley& Joseph; (co-introducers Polo, Smith,C, Stark); filed 8/16 Preemption of firearms and ammunition; repeals provisions preempting the field of regulation of firearms & ammunition to Legislature, to exclusion of local jurisdictions. 9/23 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Local, Federal and Veterans Affairs Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ258

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration

 
       
HB6049 

SMART
legislation

 

Companion SB1846

 Joseph; co-introducer Smith,C; filed 12/5 Repeals 776.013 (Stand Your Ground) Use of Deadly Force in Defense of a Person; Repeals provisions relating to home protection & use of deadly force, which creates presumption of fear of death or great bodily harm in certain circumstances & provides that person has no duty to retreat & has right to stand his or her ground & meet force with force in certain circumstances. 12/12 Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee; Justice Appropriations Subcommittee; Judiciary Committee 

1/14 Introduced-HJ260

3/14 Indefinitely postponed and withdrawn from consideration