The Biden administration will require thousands more gun dealers to run background checks on buyers

Thousands more firearms dealers across the United States will have to run background checks on buyers at gun shows or other places outside brick-and-mortar stores, according to a Biden administration rule that will soon go into effect.

The rule aims to close a loophole that has allowed tens of thousands of guns to be sold every year by unlicensed dealers who do not perform background checks to ensure the potential buyer is not legally prohibited from having a firearm. Gun rights groups are expected to fight it in court.

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Law enforcement seeing alarming trend of criminals packing more bullets

After an officer-involved shooting in St. Petersburg law enforcement agencies are calling attention to an alarming trend of criminals packing more bullets.

Shots fired near Spoto High School launches search for wanted man

Two Contentious Gun-Related Bills In Florida Head To Full House

Two contentious gun-related bills are set to be debated by the full Florida House, but the state Senate has yet to take them up.....Read More

Maxwell Frost, Jared Moskowitz on Parkland anniversary push credit card companies to flag unusual gun sales

On the sixth anniversary of the Parkland shooting, Florida Democrats in Congress are asking credit companies to flag suspicious gun purchases.

U.S. Reps. Jared Moskowitz and Maxwell Frost filed legislation clearing the way for merchant codes to allow for that. The Identify Gun Stores Act would override laws in several states, including one signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis last year.

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Florida Gun Show owners seeing uptick in sales from Israel-Hamas war

Florida Gun Show owners said they are seeing an uptick in business since the conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated. 

Owners said admissions and sales are up by roughly 40% in the last nearly two months. Buyers, a number of whom are first-time gun owners, come from all different backgrounds. Firearm retailers have reported similar upticks in their own local stores in parts of the country.

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Record percentage says they or someone in household owns a gun: Survey

More than half of American voters, a record-high number, say they or someone in their household owns a gun, a new NBC News poll found.....Read More

Florida law making gun carry permits optional leads to dramatic drop in safety classes

Floridians no longer need a permit to carry a concealed firearm, and gun owners are overwhelmingly opting out of the safety and educational training once required for a license.....Read More

Florida's Rep. Maxwell Frost on new Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Florida Rep. Maxwell Frost has been a staunch advocate for gun violence prevention before and after being elected to Congress.

Rep. Maxwell Frost discusses creation of new federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Central Florida Congressman Maxwell Frost stood beside President Joe Biden at the White House Friday as Biden formally announced the creation of a federal Office of Gun Violence Prevention.....MORE

Tampa Police Department giving out free gun locks

The Tampa Police Department is giving out free gun locks to help reduce the number of children and teens who have access to guns.....MORE

Locks can be picked up for free at any of the TPD district offices

• 3818 W Tampa Bay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33614
• 9330 N 30th St, Tampa, FL 33612
• 3808 N 22nd Street, Tampa, FL 33610
• 411 N Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602

US surpasses 500 mass shootings in 2023: Gun Violence Archive

The United States surpassed 500 mass shootings in 2023 over the weekend, according to the data from the Gun Violence Archive.

As of Sunday, the Gun Violence Archive reported 501 mass shootings so far in 2023, after a shooting in Denver, Colo. Saturday night marked the 500th mass shooting of the year.

More HERE

Ron DeSantis snipes at New Mexico Governor’s gun restrictions

New Mexico is called the Land of Enchantment. Yet Florida’s Governor is notably disenchanted with the Southwestern state after its Democratic Governor took a stand against guns.....MORE

What is the role of gun laws in the hate-fueled Jacksonville shooting?

The shooter in the mass killing last Saturday in Jacksonville had written racist, hate-filled manifestos. A gun safety group is making the link between easy access to guns in the U.S. and violent hate crimes. Kelly Drane is research director at GIFFORDS and spoke with Sean Kinane this week on WMNF’s Tuesday Café.

Listen to the full show HERE

U.S. YOUTH ATTITUDES ON GUNS REPORT

Since 2020, guns have been the leading cause of death in the United States for children and teens. While the proliferation of gun access and gun violence often dominate national, state and local headlines, little has been done to understand the views young people have on these pervasive issues.

To address this gap, Everytown for Gun Safety Support Fund, the Polarization & Extremism Research & Innovation Lab (PERIL) and SPLC came together to study young people’s access to guns, experiences with gun violence, feelings of safety and mental wellbeing, as well as their views on male supremacy, racial resentment and the Second Amendment.

More HERE

Supreme Court revives Biden’s ghost gun restrictions

The Supreme Court revived the Biden administration’s restrictions on so-called ghost guns in a 5-4 emergency ruling Tuesday.

The justices agreed to pause a lower court’s decision, which invalidated the regulation nationwide, as the administration continues its appeal.

More HERE

Supreme Court temporarily blocks 'ghost gun' ruling by federal judge

Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito on Friday temporarily blocked a lower court’s decision to strike down a regulation aimed at reining in privately made firearms known as “ghost guns” that are difficult for law enforcement to trace.....MORE

Biden calls for gun reform after ‘wave of tragic and senseless shootings’ in recent days

President Biden called on Republican lawmakers to “come to the table on meaningful, commonsense reforms” following several “tragic and senseless shootings” leading up to Independence Day.....MORE

Rise Up for Peace Community Healing and Gun Violence Interruption

Event by Bridget Killebrew and Moms Demand Action

RAGAN PARK, TAMPA

Saturday, July 8, 2023 at 12 PM – 4 PM

Free family friendly event hosted by our community partners Rise Up for Peace! Wear your Moms Demand shirt and join Rise Up for Peace as they highlight the benches dedicated to the local families who have lost a loved one killed by gun violence. Please bring school supplies and backpacks to kick off their Back to School Drive!

Event Page HERE

More Americans see gun violence as major problem

A greater share of Americans say gun violence is a major problem compared to five years ago, with the sentiment increasing across the political spectrum, according to a poll.....MORE