A new gun law signed by Governor Rick Scott last year has earned him and the Florida Legislature the 21st annual Jefferson “Muzzle” award. As Sascha Cordner reports, a free speech group located in Virginia says it is recognizing the state officials for their role in violating residents’ First amendment rights.
Josh Wheeler is the director of the Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression. This year, Wheeler says his group had to give Governor Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature a “Muzzle” award for their support of a bill that would limit what doctors could say to their patients regarding guns and gun safety.
“We felt this was especially deserving of recognition for this dubious honor because it represents Government intervening, imposing itself in what should be a completely private conversation between doctors and patients.”
A federal judge last year blocked the enforcement of the law, ruling that it infringes on physician-patient relationships. And, Wheeler says the Muzzle award is a reminder to Scott not to appeal. The Muzzles are handed out on or around the birthday of free-speech advocate and former President Thomas Jefferson on April 13th.
