Legislative Matter

Miami-Dade Legislative Item
File Number: 070274

Printable PDF Format

Clerk's Official Copy

File Number: 070274

File Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted

Version: 0

Reference: R-198-07

Control: County Commission

File Name: INCREASE PENALTIES FOR DISCHARGE OF FIREARM IN PUBLIC

Introduced: 1/31/2007

Requester: NONE

Cost:

Final Action: 2/20/2007

Agenda Date: 2/20/2007

Agenda Item Number: 11A19

Notes:

Title:

RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR THE UNLAWFUL DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM IN PUBLIC

Indexes:	FIREARMS CONTROL
	LEGISLATURE

Sponsors:	Audrey M. Edmonson, Prime Sponsor
	Jose "Pepe" Diaz, Co-Sponsor
	Dorrin Rolle, Co-Sponsor

Sunset Provision: No

Effective Date:

Expiration Date:

Registered Lobbyist:

None Listed

Legislative History
Acting Body	Date	Agenda Item	Action	Sent To	Due Date	Returned	Pass/Fail

Board of County Commissioners	2/20/2007	11A19	Adopted				P

County Manager	2/14/2007		Additions		2/20/2007

Budget and Finance Committee	2/13/2007	2CC	Forwarded to the BCC by the BCC Chairperson with a favorable recommendation				P
REPORT:	Assistant County Attorney Benitez read the foregoing resolution into the record. It was moved by Commissioner Sorenson that this proposed resolution be forwarded to with a favorable recommendation. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Diaz. Commissioner Diaz asked to be listed as a co-sponsor of the foregoing resolution. Hearing no other questions or comments, the Committee proceeded to vote.

County Attorney	1/31/2007		Referred	Budget and Finance Committee	2/13/2007

County Attorney	1/31/2007		Assigned	Abigail Price-Williams

Legislative Text

TITLE
RESOLUTION URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO INCREASE THE PENALTIES FOR THE UNLAWFUL DISCHARGE OF A FIREARM IN PUBLIC

BODY
WHEREAS, discharging a firearm into the air to celebrate the coming of a New Year or any other occasion has resulted in death and serious injury from stray bullets; and
WHEREAS, tragically, too many innocent Florida residents, including children, have been accidentally killed or seriously injured by the celebratory discharge of a firearm; and
WHEREAS, state law provides that knowingly discharging a firearm in any public place or over any occupied premises, while outside of a vehicle, is a misdemeanor of the first degree; and
WHEREAS, there is a great need to increase the criminal penalties for the dangerous practice of recklessly discharging a firearm in public in an effort to deter this behavior and reduce the number of deaths and serious bodily injuries resulting therefrom,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF MIAMI-DADE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that this Board:
Section 1. Urges the Florida Legislature to pass legislation increasing the penalties for the unlawful discharge of a firearm in public from a misdemeanor to a felony.
Section 2. Directs the Clerk of the Board to transmit a certified copy of this resolution to the Governor, Senate President, House Speaker and Chair and members of the Miami- Dade County State Legislative Delegation.
Section 3. Directs the County's state lobbyists to advocate for the passage of the legislation set forth in Section 1 above, and directs the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs to include this item in the 2007 State Legislative Package.