JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – A new lawsuit claims people who were legally carrying firearms were denied entry or threatened with trespass at city-owned venues in Jacksonville.
The complaint, filed by gun rights organizations FLORIDA CARRY, INC., GUN OWNERS OF AMERICA, GUN OWNERS FOUNDATION and several individuals, names the City of Jacksonville, Sheriff T.K. Waters, and Mayor Donna Deegan. The plaintiffs argue Florida law largely leaves firearm regulation to the state and that local governments can’t enforce their own restrictions through venue policies.
What the lawsuit alleges
In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs describe what they call “local firearm restrictions at Jacksonville venues.” The complaint also alleges those restrictions can be written or unwritten, describing them as venue-admission rules, directives, or recurring enforcement practices.
The lawsuit points to city-owned venues including EverBank Stadium (for a non-athletic event), the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts and the Florida Theatre Building…