Former Jacksonville Mayor Lenny Curry is demanding an apology from current Mayor Donna Deegan after she attempted to "shift blame" to the former administration over her alleged policy of keeping an illegal registry of gun owners carrying firearms into city buildings.
"In her zeal to attack a Conservative Republican and deflect accountability, Donna Deegan has rushed to spin a false narrative that not only impugns my reputation but also tarnishes the integrity of the employees I was proud to lead and serve alongside for eight years," Curry said.
Curry was Jacksonville's mayor from 2015 to 2023. Deegan took over as mayor on July 1, 2023.
He mentioned an article by David Bauerlein with the Florida Times-Union, which he said "thoroughly debunks Mayor Donna Deegan’s attempt to shift blame for her illegal gun registry at City Hall."
“The policy in question was not approved until July 24, 2023—more than three weeks after Deegan took office,” Curry said.
"It is deeply troubling to see the current Mayor and members of her administration lend credibility to these unfounded claims. Their actions not only perpetuate falsehoods but also undermine the trust and safety of our community by stoking division and fear," Curry added.
Florida GOP Chairman Evan Power also called out Deegan over the controversy.
“It should be no surprise to anyone that liberal Donna Deegan is now under investigation for trampling the Second Amendment,” Power said. “I join with Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, former Mayor Lenny Curry, and others in calling out this direct assault on the rights of law-abiding citizens."
According to Florida Statutes 790.335, "a list, record, or registry of legally owned firearms or law-abiding firearm owners is not a law enforcement tool and can become an instrument for profiling, harassing, or abusing law-abiding citizens based on their choice to own a firearm and exercise their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms as guaranteed under the United States Constitution."
Curry, a Republican, asked Deegan, a Democrat, to stop the partisan "blame game" and take "accountability."
"I call on Mayor Deegan to apologize to the news media and to the people of Jacksonville for peddling fake news and baseless narratives to shirk responsibility," Curry said. "Let's return to facts, integrity, and accountability. Jacksonville deserves better."
