It’s Their Own Fault

The Pensacola News Journal tells me that Santa Rosa gun law in Senate’s sights

TALLAHASSEE — The Florida House on Tuesday passed a bill that likely will force Santa Rosa County officials to repeal an ordinance that silenced a makeshift gun range on Soundside Drive in Gulf Breeze or face fines up to $5,000.

The bill has strained relations between Santa Rosa County commissioners and freshman lawmaker Matt Gaetz, R-Fort Walton, who sponsored the legislation and represents a portion of the county.

The legislation, which must still pass the Florida Senate, gives teeth to an existing law that prohibits local governments to pass firearm regulations. The Gaetz bill not only mandates $5,000 fines, it also says those “harmed” by local gun regulations can sue local governments and receive up to $100,000.

The officials in Santa Rosa county think that they were being trashed because Gaetz lives in Okaloosa county. They are wrong.

The Local Puppy Trainer shows that: Okaloosa officials, Rep. Matt Gaetz argue over pre-trial release bill

Okaloosa County officials and state Rep. Matt Gaetz are at odds over legislation that could bring significant changes to the county’s pre-trial release program.

House Bill 1379 and Senate Bill 372 call for limiting pre-trial release services to indigent defendants.
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During the debate portion of the committee hearing, Gaetz publicly berated Okaloosa officials, calling his reaction to their testimony “one of pure embarrassment.” He said their testimony was not relevant and criticized their presence at the hearing as “utter incompetence.”

Gaetz also said he didn’t think the exemption for small counties should have been added to the bill and threatened to offer an amendment on the House floor to remove it.

Gaetz told these people what he was – a lawyer and a Republican. It should come as no surprise to them that he is a total jerk who works for his political funders, the NRA and the private prison industry. He has no interest in the opinions, wants, or needs of the district he represents, because it just votes for him. Gaetz works for the people who provide the money, What did voters think he would do after he admitted to being a lawyer and Republican – act in their interest?