On February 16, 2025, I remember an Amber Alert was issued for four-year-old Seraphina Gingles. While the alert was later canceled, the truth that emerged that evening was devastating. Seraphina was found alive, but her mother, Mary Gingles, her grandfather, David Ponzer, and their neighbor, Andrew Ferrin were murdered. The killings were allegedly carried out by Mary’s estranged husband, despite the fact that a judge had already determined he was dangerous and had ordered him to surrender his firearms under a domestic violence injunction. That order was never enforced. Mary had done everything the system asked of her: she sought protection, she went to court, and she trusted the law to keep her family safe. The system failed her, with irreversible consequences.
In the wake of this tragedy, I filed HB 729 which is designed to ensure that this kind of failure does not happen again. While Florida law currently allows judges to order abusers to surrender firearms, there is no clear, mandatory process requiring law enforcement to collect those weapons or document what was collected. As a result, these injunctions often rely on abusers to voluntarily surrender their firearms, leaving survivors vulnerable.
The bill ensures when a final domestic violence injunction is issued and a judge determines that a person is too dangerous to have weapons, law enforcement will collect all firearms, ammunition, and concealed carry licenses, issue a detailed receipt, and file proof with the court within 72 hours. If there is reason to believe weapons are being hidden, officers may seek a search warrant to seize them.
HB 729 also strengthens consequences for repeat offenders. Currently, perpetrators have three chances, before violating a court protection order is elevated from a misdemeanor to a felony. Under this bill, a second violation would become a felony, reflecting the serious risk posed by abusers who ignore court orders.
According to the Department of Children and Families, 217 Floridians lost their lives from domestic violence homicide in 2020, representing 20% of all homicides in our state. HB 729 closes a dangerous loophole and affirms that court-ordered protection must be real, enforced, and lifesaving.
If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic violence, please reach out to the resources below; in an emergency, always dial 911.
• Women in Distress – widbroward.org or 24/7 Crisis Line 954-761-1133
• Women in Distress provides free counseling, support services, and emergency shelter assistance for survivors, available in English, Spanish, Creole, and Portuguese.
• National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-7233 or text “Start” to 88788
• Provides a hotline that offers confidential support, crisis intervention, essential tools, education, and referral services.
• Florida Department of Children and Families Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-500-1119 or myflfamilies.com/services/abuse/domestic-violence/get-help
• Provides support, safety planning, information, and referrals to local certified domestic violence centers for immediate access to services.
