@ByKristenMClark
Several lawmakers took to Twitter on Monday to weigh in on a Miami judge's ruling that new changes the Legislature made to Florida's Stand Your Ground law were unconstitutional and beyond the purview of their law-making duties.
The Miami Herald's David Ovalle has more on the ruling here.
SB 128 passed the Legislature along partylines with Democrats opposed, and Republican Gov. Rick Scott signed it into law last month. Scott's office had no immediate reaction to Monday's news other than acknowledging they were "reviewing the ruling."
Here's what some lawmakers had to say:
House Speaker Richard Corcoran, R-Land O'Lakes:
It is the role of the Legislature to write the laws that govern how Floridians may exercise their statutory and constitutional rights 1 https://t.co/emJlUmSt1l
— Richard Corcoran (@richardcorcoran) July 3, 2017
The Florida House will continue to stand with ordinary citizens who exercise their right to self-defense. 2 https://t.co/emJlUmSt1l
— Richard Corcoran (@richardcorcoran) July 3, 2017
There's a reason this judge is constantly overturned. We look forward to this decision being reversed on appeal 3 https://t.co/emJlUmSt1l
— Richard Corcoran (@richardcorcoran) July 3, 2017
Sen. Rob Bradley, the Fleming Island Republican who, for two years, sponsored the legislation to change Florida's Stand Your Ground law:
Today's Miami trial court ruling attacks the Legislature's role in defining and protecting our individual rights. /1
— Rob Bradley (@Rob_Bradley) July 3, 2017
The FLSC, in Bretherick, misinterpreted legislative intent. That happens sometimes. So the Leg corrected this misinterpretation in SB128. /2
— Rob Bradley (@Rob_Bradley) July 3, 2017
Our constitutional system, it seemed, worked as designed with Bretherick and then SB128. Today's ruling, however, blows up the system. /3
— Rob Bradley (@Rob_Bradley) July 3, 2017
The Miami trial court decided that the Legislature didn't have the authority to pass SB128 in the first place. /4
— Rob Bradley (@Rob_Bradley) July 3, 2017
Of course, the trial court decision begs the question. Why would FLSC discuss legislative intent in Bretherick, if it was irrelevant? /5
— Rob Bradley (@Rob_Bradley) July 3, 2017
Rep. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford...
So judges should make laws? This whole time, I have been so confused...what do I do as a legislator again? cc: @JusticeWillett https://t.co/M3Q619aWPk
— Jason Brodeur (@jasonbrodeur) July 3, 2017
... with a responses from Reps. Manny Diaz Jr., R-Hialeah, Bob Cortes, R-Altamonte Springs, and David Richardson, D-Miami Beach:
@jasonbrodeur so confusing..
— Manny Diaz Jr. (@RepMannyDiazJr) July 3, 2017
Yeah, don't get it either #smh
— Rep. Bob Cortes (@CortesBob) July 3, 2017
Ah, my friend, this one is easy. What do we do? ... make laws within the constitutional framework. https://t.co/YTcMQ81gMx
— David Richardson (@david4florida) July 3, 2017
Rep. Julio Gonzalez, R-Venice:
Judge says FL's Stand Your Ground unconst'l due to sep of powers.
— Julio Gonzalez,MD,JD (@juliogonzalezmd) July 3, 2017
So, all judges must be recused due to COI, right?https://t.co/5HYZxvL2td
Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, D-Orlando:
Yet another ill-concieved law rammed thru the legislature by GOP is ruled unconstitutional. Pls stop. #Sayfie https://t.co/B1pFtGV8Tg
— Rep. Carlos G Smith (@CarlosGSmith) July 3, 2017
Rep. Cord Byrd, R-Jacksonville Beach...
Another black robbed activist judge who thinks courts make law instead of the duly elected representatives of the people.
— Cord Byrd (@CordByrd) July 3, 2017
... with agreement from Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa:
Preach. https://t.co/R3qlFMVxNx
— James Grant (@JamesGrantFL) July 3, 2017
Rep. Kionne McGhee, D-Miami...
New Stand Your Ground law unconstitutional. Judiciary's role-interpret the law. Great job Judge Hirsch.I'm with him! https://t.co/Mfe9MwJFEc
— Kionne McGhee (@kionnemcghee) July 3, 2017
I support the 2nd Amendment and the law abiding citizens also.
— Kionne McGhee (@kionnemcghee) July 3, 2017
... which drew this brief exchange with Rep. Jason Fischer, R-Jacksonville:
The issue is whether Judge Hirsch has the authority to interpret law. Both of us will say Yes. This is not inconsistent w/ 2nd Amendment.
— Kionne McGhee (@kionnemcghee) July 4, 2017
Photo credit: Mark Wallheiser / AP
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