Florida House Bill 83 would further diminish the rights of individuals convicted of domestic violence offenses.
Introduced into the Florida Senate chambers by Rep. Anna V. Eskamami, D-Orlando, HB 83 intends to prohibit the sale and transfer of firearms and ammunition to domestic violence offenders.
HB 83 further also requires the surrendering of all specified firearms in possession of those convicted for domestic violence incidents.
In addition, Sen. Lori Berman, D-Boynton Beach, continues to push the conversation as she filed Senate Bill 372 that would outlaw firearm sales to domestic violence offenders.
“Every year, more people die with a connection between gun ownership and a history of domestic violence so we will keep filing,” Eskamani said in an interview with Florida Politics.
According to The Guardian, in the past decade, deaths at the hands of an intimate partner by gun violence have increased by 58%. The Guardian furthermore presents the statistic that approximately every 16 hours, a woman is fatally shot by their partner due to their partner having access to a concealed weapon.
Tallahassee resident Eyonnah Jones said that emotional displacement becomes a hindrance to turning the perspective gender-neutral.
“I just feel like anyone with emotional compromises and anger displacement issues shouldn’t be in possession of dangerous weapons,” Jones said. “So many men and women get to the point in an abusive relationship they’re broken and ready to leave only to have their life taken from them by an obsessive hateful partner.”
Rep. Eskamani in HB 83 provides prior arrangements in law enforcement protocols in reference to on the scene domestic violence calls that involve firearms. She wants them to be removed regardless of proper documentation.
Her bill would also grant law enforcement officers the prerogative to provide a search warrant that shows probable cause that a person still occupies unwarranted weaponry.
Loopholes adjust one’s position on the bill slightly as firearms are a justifiable form of protection, says Tallahassee resident Ajai Outley.
“I think they [offenders] should have to jump through a few extra hoops because it is a constitutional right at the end of the day. Taking it away altogether is probably not justified, at least not with the amendment being written the way it is now. Bottom line, surface-level no, with a deeper look at it yes — with conditions.” Outley said.
HB 83 received its first reading by the House of Representatives and now awaits updates as it advances.