The Florida Supreme Court on Jan. 19 upheld a state law banning local governments from implementing restrictions on the sale of guns and ammunition.
Under Florida law passed in 1987, cities and counties are not allowed to create restrictions on guns that are stricter than state law, also known as “preemption” of local gun laws.
Those who do risk stiff penalties of up to $5,000 under a 2011 addition to the law, while those harmed by the unlawful ordinance can sue the local government for up to $100,000 in damages.
Lawsuits against the penalties were filed by cities and counties from various parts of the state, such as Fort Lauderdale, Miami Beach, Orlando, Tallahassee, Gainesville, and St. Petersburg following the 2018 massacre at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, that left 17 dead….