By: Mariel Carbone | WCTV Eyewitness News

April 11, 2018

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) — The City of Tallahassee will join a growing number of cities that has filed suit against state lawmakers.

The city commission voted unanimously Wednesday to join in on a law suit that targets a 2011 law that preempts local governments from making any regulations on gun laws. If they do, lawmakers can be personally sued, fined and removed from office.

"Being pulled from office for doing your duty, is wrong. Being personally liable for legal fees is wrong,” said City Commissioner Gil Ziffer.

At least ten other cities and 31 elected officials are already part of the lawsuit, which was filed in Leon Circuit Court earlier this month. The suit challenges the constitutionality of the penalties.

"It's clear in the constitution that you’re given protection from that. How else would we really do our jobs?” said City Commissioner Nancy Miller.

According to the city’s resolution, it’ll pay a flat fee of $10,000 to the firm representing the plaintiffs. Mayor Andrew Gillum said it’s a small price to pay.

"I think that's a penance of cost when you compare what it may mean by saving lives,” said Gillum.

He said the end goal would be for some control to return to local governments.

"What ultimately we want is for local governments to be able to decide the kinds of laws we believe are decent and commonsensical to be able to keep our communities safe,” said Gillum.

Several Tallahassee officials were the target of the state law back in 2014. Commissioners Miller, Ziffer, Gillum and then Mayor John Marks were personally sued for refusing to repeal an ordinance that prohibited the shooting of guns in parks. An appeals court ultimately ruled in their favor because the ordinance was technically null under state law.

Leon County will also consider joining the lawsuit. The commission voted Tuesday to bring the issue back as an agenda item as its next meeting.