GOA sues Jacksonville over venue gun bans, even at a gun show
Florida law says only the state can regulate guns, yet a new lawsuit claims Jacksonville officers kept turning away licensed carriers at city venues, once at the door of a gun show. Jared Yanis walks through the complaint from Gun Owners of America and its co-plaintiffs.
The short version
Gun Owners of America, Gun Owners Foundation, Florida Carry and individual gun owners filed suit in Duval County circuit court against the City of Jacksonville, Sheriff T.K. Waters and Mayor Donna Deegan. The case rests on Florida Statute 790.33, which reserves firearm regulation to the legislature. The plaintiffs argue the city cannot get around that by calling a gun restriction a venue policy, security instruction or unwritten practice.
The complaint lists four incidents from 2022 to 2026: a licensed carrier refused entry to a non-athletic event at the city's football stadium, two carriers made to disarm at the Florida Theatre and at a gun show at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds, and GOA's Florida director told to remove his gun or be trespassed while setting up the group's booth at the performing arts center. Yanis stresses these are allegations and the court has not ruled.
Key points
- The law: Florida's preemption statute bars local governments from creating their own rules on possessing or carrying guns.
- Stadium claim: State law restricts carry at professional athletic events, but the complaint says no such event was taking place.
- Pattern alleged: The plaintiffs say uniformed sheriff's officers enforced the restrictions repeatedly, which they argue shows a policy rather than one officer's mistake.
- Personal fines: They seek the statute's civil fine of up to $5,000 against the mayor and sheriff personally for knowing and willful violations.
- Other relief: They also ask for a declaration the rules are void, a permanent injunction, damages, fees and a jury trial.
Bottom line
For Florida carriers, this case will test whether cities can keep guns out of public venues through policy rather than ordinance. Until a court rules, Yanis warns, don't treat the complaint as permission to carry where you are being turned away.
Source: Jared Yanis