Florida AG Sues Jacksonville for $5M Over Alleged Illegal Gun Registry

Clear Facts

• Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a lawsuit against Jacksonville seeking a $5 million civil penalty
• The lawsuit alleges the city maintained an illegal registry of law-abiding gun owners in violation of state firearm preemption laws
• The registry allegedly tracked gun owners without legal authority, raising constitutional concerns about the Second Amendment

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has taken decisive legal action against the City of Jacksonville, filing a lawsuit that seeks a $5 million civil penalty for what he characterizes as a flagrant violation of state law. The lawsuit alleges that Jacksonville officials maintained an illegal registry of law-abiding gun owners, directly violating Florida’s firearm preemption laws designed to protect Second Amendment rights.

The legal challenge represents a significant confrontation between state authority and municipal governance over gun rights. Florida’s firearm preemption laws specifically prevent local governments from creating their own gun regulations that exceed state law, ensuring uniform protection of constitutional rights across the state.

We are taking the City of Jacksonville to court for knowingly and willfully keeping an illegal gun registry in violation of Florida law. pic.twitter.com/0WNJ38c0xZ

— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) May 12, 2026

The conclusion of this investigation without charges or accountability is unacceptable. State Attorney Melissa Nelson will be hearing from my office soon.

The City of Jacksonville’s creation of a gun registry for any reason is unlawful and reprehensible.

This isn’t over. https://t.co/mfmpcfbqWU

— Attorney General James Uthmeier (@AGJamesUthmeier) December 31, 2025

Uthmeier’s lawsuit contends that Jacksonville’s actions represent an overreach of municipal authority. By allegedly maintaining a registry of gun owners, the city stepped beyond its legal boundaries and infringed upon the privacy and constitutional rights of law-abiding citizens.

The $5 million penalty sought in the lawsuit sends a clear message about the state’s commitment to protecting Second Amendment freedoms. Such registries have long been opposed by gun rights advocates who view them as the first step toward confiscation and an infringement on constitutional liberties.

Florida has been at the forefront of states protecting gun ownership rights. The state’s firearm preemption law prevents localities from creating a patchwork of regulations that could criminalize lawful gun owners who cross municipal boundaries.

The case also raises broader questions about government overreach and data collection. Many conservatives view gun registries as fundamentally un-American, creating databases of citizens exercising their constitutional rights in ways that parallel authoritarian regimes rather than free societies.

Jacksonville now faces not only the substantial financial penalty but also the legal precedent that could discourage other municipalities from similar violations. The lawsuit demonstrates that state officials are willing to hold local governments accountable when they overstep their authority on matters of constitutional rights.

The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications for how Florida municipalities approach firearms regulations. It reinforces the principle that state preemption laws exist precisely to prevent local officials from undermining rights protected by both the Florida and U.S. Constitutions.

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