Bill Cotterell, Democrat correspondent Published 11:32 a.m. ET June 12, 2018
Bill Cotterell(Photo: Democrat files)To paraphrase an old bumper sticker, guns don’t kill political campaigns, candidates who misfire on gun issues shoot themselves in the foot.Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam undoubtedly regrets proclaiming himself a “proud NRA sellout” last year. But that was before the murders at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, back when outgunning potential Republican opponents in the race for governor mattered most.Last month, news of Putnam getting some $670,000 in campaign money from Publix led to protestors staging a “die in” among the aisles of some grocery stores. Publix handled it well, but that’s not the kind of visuals any candidate wants.And then last week, the Tampa Bay Times reported on an inspector general’s report of how a computer screw-up prevented the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services from completing background checks on concealed-weapon permit applicants for over a year.MORE: Putnam's agency called for audit that found missing background checks[1]He said he fixed it as soon as he found out, but it was Putnam’s job to know about the situation and prevent it. We can surmise the commissioner was more interested in pushing out permits than screening applicants.Just a day earlier, Putnam had announced his public-safety platform. A long lapse in background checks on people wanting concealed weapons permits is not exactly promising.
Florida Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam walks out to greet his supporters during his campaign rally as he kicks off his gubernatorial campaign at the Old Polk County Courthouse in Bartow, Fla., Wednesday, May 10, 2017. (Photo: Octavio Jones, AP)His opponent in the Republican primary, Congressman Ron DeSantis, probably won’t attack Putnam too hard on this. He touts himself as an unflinching enthusiast 