Local governments all over the country are enacting their own gun control measures in the wake of the Sandy Hook massacre.
However, the Hillsborough County attorney said that cannot happen in Florida.
According to Bay News 9's partner paper, the Tampa Bay Times, County Attorney Chip Fletcher said local governments in Florida cannot ban sales of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.
Moreover, he said Florida law means elected officials could face financial penalties if they attempt their own regulations.
As for requiring universal criminal background checks for gun purchases, that is legal on the local level. Hillsborough County does require those background checks.
Fletcher wrote the memo in response to a request from Commissioner Les Miller, who asked the attorney's office to look into whether the county could ban sales of assault-style weapons and large-capacity magazines.