Bill on Gov. Rick Scott's desk divides gun rights activists

[Robb]

TALLAHASSEE — The former president of the National Rifle Association and Florida's most powerful gun rights lobbyist is urging Gov. Rick Scott to sign a bill restricting gun purchases.

Yes, you read that correctly.

Marion Hammer, the NRA's longtime Florida lobbyist and founder of the United Sportsmen of Florida, emailed about 200,000 gun rights supporters this week asking them to show support for HB 1355, which would prevent some mentally ill people from buying guns.

Though it passed the Legislature with just one "no" vote, the bill has sharply divided gun rights activists. Scott, who has until July 2 to sign or veto the measure, has already received more than 17,000 emails and nearly 3,000 phone calls in opposition.

The source of much of the opposition, Hammer says, is out-of-state gun rights groups who are presenting "patently false" information.

(snip)

The opposition is a "gimmick" and a fundraising stunt on the part of a Colorado group called the National Association for Gun Rights, Hammer said. The group did not respond to requests seeking comment.

"These are not organizations that are here on the ground, working the issue," said Hammer, who worked with the bill's sponsors during the legislative session. "They are full of disinformation designed to inflame and upset people and help them raise money."

Read More: http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/stateroundup/bill-awaiting-gov-rick-scotts-signature-has-gun-rights-activists-sharply/2127972