TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – The Leon County Commission is sending its lobbyists to ask Congress and the Florida legislature to enact stricter gun reform measures, and they’re preemptively endorsing a proposal from the Florida Attorney General on “Missy’s Law.”
Commissioners unanimously supported a resolution that calls for Missy’s Law to be introduced at the statehouse next session. They voted 5-2 to require their lobbyists to argue for gun reform, including enhanced red flag laws that would permit more than just police officers to petition a judge.
Once the formal language for Missy’s Law is introduced, the county commission will hear a status update and continue the next steps. While they voted for the measure, several commissioners noted it was unusual for the body to endorse a law before seeing the text.
Leon County Commissioner Christian Caban, who pushed the resolution forward, said the law is necessary to prevent judges from allowing convicted sex offenders to be out on bond once they’re found guilty.
“It would basically be closing a loophole that removes judicial discretion, that if there’s a convicted sex offender, convicted is key, they’re guilty, convicted, that they have to be held in custody while they await sentencing. It’s our job as local leaders to protect our most vulnerable population, our children, from these monsters.”
The law is inspired by Missy Mogle, a five-year-old who prosecutors allege was killed by her stepfather, Daniel Spencer. Caban said the suspect was on bond despite awaiting sentencing for a separate sex crimes conviction.
“Convicted is key, they’re guilty,” Caban said. “Convicted [so] that they have to be held in custody while they await sentencing. And particularly what happened when earlier this spring, which was a tragedy, was we had a convicted sex offender [on bond].”
While he supported the resolution, Commissioner Bill Proctor noted his belief that prosecutors and child protective services had not provided the judge with all the necessary information needed to remand Daniel Spencer, the suspect.
Both Daniel Spencer and Mogle’s mother, Chloe Spencer, have entered not guilty pleas. While plea negotiations are still ongoing, neither has been convicted in Mogle’s case, and the evidence is yet to be tested in court.
The girl’s 23-year-old mother Chloe Spencer and 35-year-old stepfather Daniel Spencer were both taken into custody Monday and both face charges of aggravated battery on a child, child neglect with great bodily harm and failure to report child abuse, the court documents revealed.(Leon County Jail)Gun reform
Despite the county’s lobbyists noting an uphill battle, the commission voted 5-2 to direct the firm to pursue a number of gun control reforms.
The effort, led by Leon County Commissioner David O’Keefe, boils down to the following four items:
Universal background checksSafe storage lawsRequirement to report lost gunsEnhanced red flag laws
The county’s lobbyists responded with a sober assessment that such measures are unlikely to pass either Congress or the Florida legislature at this time. But they can also lobby against bills that would ease restrictions on guns.
“Unfortunately, the state has prevented local communities from creating gun laws, but we owe it to our community to do everything we can. And that allows us to legislatively advocate.”
O’Keefe said the county should pursue the things they believe in, even if they face long odds.
“If they’re a risk themselves or others, only law enforcement can start the process [in Florida],” he said. “Proven reform shows that you should also allow family members and healthcare professionals to refer to the judge for that process.”
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Leon County Chair Brian Welch and Caban voted against adding gun reform to the county’s list of “legislative priorities.” Welch said doing so, knowing the conservative makeup of the legislature and Congress, could jeopardize other appropriations for infrastructure projects.
“We’re providing an empty gesture,” Welch said. “It’s utterly performative.”
He urged the commission to focus on “policy, not politics.”
“Well, I can say right here into the microphone: I support common sense gun reform. Making it a legislative priority, I think, is counterproductive to our ability to actually receive appropriations,” Welch said.
O’Keefe pushed back on Thursday, saying county commissioners have to speak up for their constituents despite a low likelihood of success.
“And after the FSU shooting and after almost every other shooting, our students, our parents and our citizens have told us time and time again, they are demanding action to make our community safer,” O’Keefe said.
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