House sends bill banning gun owner lists to Bush [View All]

[JayS]

House sends bill banning gun owner lists to Bush
By Times Staff and Wire Reports
Published April 2, 2004
http://www.sptimes.com/2004/04/02/State/Affordable_housing_fu.shtml



Police and government agencies could no longer keep comprehensive lists of people who own firearms, under a bill the House passed 86-32.

The bill (HB 155), pushed by the National Rifle Association, now heads to Gov. Jeb Bush's desk. It comes with stiff penalties - including fines of up to $5-million if a court determines a government agency knew one of its employees was collecting such a list.

The bill doesn't apply to lists created as part of a criminal investigation, and despite the prohibition, existing lists cannot be suppressed if they could be used against a suspect in court.

*SNIP*

"Why is it that we want to get rid of this list?" asked Rep. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa. "Who is it who has been harmed by this list? ... Those of us who own firearms should not be afraid to let others know about it."

*SNIP*