State Rep. Charles McBurney has felt the wrath of the National Rifle Association’s fiery email blast sent out last week, and he’s working overtime to put the kibosh on any opposition that might hinder his chances at becoming a circuit judge.
The National Rifle Association criticized McBurney for his refusal to hear legislation which would have shifted the Burden of Proof in Stand Your Ground cases. McBurney, who served as the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, refused to take up the bill in his committee, a decision which the NRA did not take lightly.
The gun rights group lambasted the Jacksonville Republican in an email, urging its members to email Gov. Rick Scott telling him McBurney is not fit to be a judge for "trampling" over Second Amendment rights.
The governor’s office received thousands of emails with the subject line “CHARLES MCBURNEY IS UNFIT TO BE A JUDGE,” a strong statement which could cause enough controversy to cost McBurney the position.
McBurney’s action to shelf the bill, the NRA contended, was a result of “political pandering” to be seen more favorably by prosecutors, who didn’t support the measure.
“As Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, Charles McBurney arrogantly put his blind ambition to become judge ahead of your constitutional right of self-defense and your basic fundamental right to the presumption of innocence,” wrote past president and current NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer.
To combat the negative publicity, McBurney is seeking recommendations from his supporters.
In an email, McBurney asks his constituents and friends to get in contact with Gov. Rick Scott -- who selects the judge -- to tell Scott why he’s the best candidate for the position.
“I'm writing today to ask you to email, call or snail mail the Governor's office and informing him of how we are acquainted (JC, legal, civic, religious, personal),” wrote McBurney. “I would also encourage you to share why you feel I am the most qualified candidate."
He also says he was pushed to apply for the judicial vacancy by his legislative colleagues and “current members of the Judiciary.”
McBurney was one of 33 people to apply for two circuit judgeships in the Jacksonville-based 4th Judicial Circuit last year. The previous circuit judges could no longer serve due to mandatory retirement requirements.
The email battle came as a surprise to McBurney, who said he is usually supportive of NRA measures, and has been for the several years he’s served in the state Legislature.
"I've supported the NRA position for 9 years in the legislature," he told SSN, recalling his support of other bills like open carry and campus carry during recent legislative sessions. "I've supported each bill the NRA has had, to my recollection."
But McBurney admitted he did not agree with passing the Burden of Proof proposal, and stood firm on his decision not to hear the bill.
"On this one bill, Ms. Hammer and I had a disagreement," he told SSN. "We had policy differences. To me this bill would victimize victims...There's no other state in the country that shifts the burden of proof [this] way....I did the best I could for the people I represent."
Reach reporter Allison Nielsen by email at allison@sunshinestatenews.com or follow her on Twitter: @AllisonNielsen.
