Tag: Dept. of Agriculture

Florida Government Official Calls for Background Checks on All Ammunition Purchases

“If you shouldn’t get a gun, you shouldn’t get ammunition.”

The State’s government official responsible for processing and issuing Florida’s concealed carry weapons licenses is publicly calling for background checks on all ammunition purchases and transfers.

Recently, Florida Dept. of Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried criticized Governor DeSantis for vetoing her request for the hiring of 83 additional Dept. of Agriculture employees, for the processing of Florida concealed carry weapons license applications.

He just vetoed 83 positions I proposed for my department to thoroughly process concealed weapon licenses in a timely manner to keep Floridians safe.

Nikki Fried, Commissioner of Agriculture – June 13, 2022

Nikki Fried’s request for 83 additional employees for the processing of licenses appears odd, in so much as, the Dept. of Agriculture is processing and issuing concealed carry weapons licenses in the shortest turnaround time since 2018. Currently, the average application turnaround time is 2 weeks.

Commissioner Fried’s push for ammunition background checks is neither hers alone nor new. Two bills were submitted for action during the 2022 legislative session SB 334 and HB 181. Sen. Tina Polsky and Rep. Dan Daley are the bill sponsors. “If you shouldn’t get a gun, you shouldn’t get ammunition,” Polsky said. “It stops people from purchasing ammunition without a proper background check.”

Democratic leaders including Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried— a gubernatorial contender — rallied around the legislation Tuesday at a press event.

“We need change here in the state of Florida,” Fried said. “We are not asking for the world. We’re just asking for common-sense changes that are going to prevent future tragedies.”

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Florida Sheriffs endorse Wilton Simpson for State Commissioner of Agriculture

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd credited Simpson’s leadership with bringing Florida’s crime rate to a 50-year low.

http://www.floridapolitics.com/archives/510102-59-sheriffs-endorse-wilton-simpson-for-state-commissioner-of-agriculture

Fifty-nine of the state’s sheriffs — all but eight of them — are endorsing Senate President Wilton Simpson’s campaign for Commissioner of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the campaign announced Monday.

The Florida Police Benevolent Association has also endorsed Simpson’s campaign, according to a news release from the Simpson campaign.

Simpson is running to succeed Agriculture Commissioner Nikki Fried, who is leaving the position aiming to become Florida’s next Governor.

The campaign attributed the sheriffs’ united front for Simpson’s campaign to his support for law enforcement.

“As others have tried to defund the police, I fought to ensure Floridians in uniform have the support and resources they need to do their jobs,” Simpson said, according to a news release.

The news release highlighted endorsements of sheriffs from Pasco and Polk counties.

“The women and men in law enforcement start each shift with a mission: to work side by side with members of their community to keep it safe and to make it home to their families,” Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said. “Wilton Simpson has firmly stood with law enforcement in this mission and understands that protecting our communities and our future will allow Florida to continue to prosper.”

Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd credited Simpson’s leadership with bringing Florida’s crime rate to a 50-year low.

“Wilton is a PROVEN LEADER who cares about your safety and wellbeing,” Judd’s written comments read. “He has always supported law enforcement and that is exactly why I support Wilton.”

Simpson, a Trilby Republican, is the heavy favorite to win his party’s nomination for the post and face Democratic candidate Ryan Morales, a Clermont cannabis activist. Simpson has millions on hand for his campaign, compared to Morales and Republican candidates Richard Ollie Jr. and James Shaw, who have done negligible fundraising.

The majority of sheriffs not endorsing Simpson come largely from counties that are larger and traditionally more Democratic counties. Sheriffs from Alachua, Broward, Leon, Miami-Dade, Orange, Osceola, Palm Beach and St. Lucie were not on the list of endorsers.

WEAR ORANGE – ‘Gun Control Weekend’

Nikki Fried, Florida Commissioner of Agriculture: “I’m proud to work with Everytown for Gun Safety . . . “

The Florida Department of Agriculture has partnered with Everytown for Gun Safety.

Nikki Fried is ordering Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services buildings to light up orange this weekend to support gun violence awareness.

Wear Orange Weekend runs Saturday and Sunday. Friday was also National Gun Violence Awareness Day.

The department is illuminating the historic Mayo Building located across from the Florida Capitol, as well as the department’s Tallahassee Regional Licensing Office, where the department processes concealed weapons permit applications.

Nikki Fried is bathing her office building orange to raise awareness of gun violence.

“With so many lives lost to gun violence in the Sunshine State and around the nation, it’s important to send a message: we remain determined to see common-sense gun violence prevention reforms enacted to protect our communities,” Fried said. “As the lives of children, parents, friends, loved ones and fellow Floridians have been cut short by firearms, we will stand strong to demand change that honors their memory.”

“I’m proud to work with Everytown for Gun Safety to mark this occasion, which I hope will lead to reflection, persistence, and long-overdue action on gun violence.”

Fried proclaimed Friday, June 4, as Gun Violence Awareness Day in Florida in a proclamation on behalf of the Florida Cabinet.

The key department buildings are lit orange in a partnership with Everytown for Gun Safety, America’s largest gun violence prevention organization.