Florida Gov. Bush Signs Ban on Listing of Gun Owners
NewsMax.com Wires
Thursday, May 13, 2004
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. Gov. Jeb Bush signed bills Thursday
that ban police from keeping comprehensive lists of law-abiding gun
owners and give owners of gun ranges almost total immunity from lead
cleanup lawsuits.
The National Rifle Association praised Bush for signing the
bills, both of which were pushed hard by the gun-owners' group.
Under the new law, police and government agencies could be fined
$5 million if they keep a list of people who own firearms. The
measure doesn't apply to lists created as part of a criminal
investigation.
The gun range bill arose out of a lawsuit that sought to force a
gun range to clean up lead from old ammunition. Environmentalists
say if the lead leaches into the groundwater it can be dangerous.
The measure, which Bush signed in a private ceremony, bans such
lawsuits, but requires state environment regulators to set up a
protocol for how gun ranges should prevent lead contamination.
Among the ideas is the use of lead-free ammunition.
If ranges follow the plan, they can't be sued.
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