The Mayor of St. Petersburg is considering joining a lawsuit against Gov. Rick Scott over a 2011 state law. 

  • Kriseman concerned about FL government overreach
  • Considers joining lawsuit against Gov. Scott over 2011 law
  • Law blocks local governments from passing gun control measures

The law blocks local governments from passing any gun control measure. In addition, state law allows the governor to remove a mayor or any elected official who puts any gun control measures in place. The law also allows them to be civilly sued and fined. 

Ten Florida mayors have already filed a lawsuit against the governor over the law. 

"I've asked my city attorney to take a look at the lawsuit and see if it's something that merits our getting involved in it," Rick Kriseman said. 

Kriseman said if his legal counsel recommends not joining the lawsuit, the city will likely file what is known as a "friend of court" brief in support of the measure. 

During a presentation at the League of Cities Conference in Orlando this week, Mayor Kriseman shared his concern about state government overreach. 

"It was about efforts by the state to continue to chip away at local governments and our ability to govern our communities," he said. 

Kriseman specifically referenced the gun control issue and efforts of mayors and local governments to put reforms in place.

"We all hear all the time, 'Why aren't you doing something about the proliferation of assault-style weapons, of high capacity magazines, or armor piercing bullets?', and what I have had to say to everybody who asks me that question is that I can't," Kriseman said. 

A spokesman for Scott said his office is reviewing the lawsuit.