It's official: Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn signs panhandling ban

TAMPA - Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn signed a partial ban on panhandling Friday morning, just 24 hours after city council approved it.

"It's been a long time coming," said Buckhorn shortly before signing the ordinance.

City council approved the partial ban on Thursday morning.

The vote was 4-1 with two members absent.

The ban prohibits most roadside solicitations six days a week. Newspaper sales will be allowed every day. Panhandling and charity drives will be allowed on Sundays.

Some have questioned whether the ordinance will stand up to legal challenges.

According to attorney Jeremy Simons, courts have ruled that panhandling is protected free speech. They have also found, though, that government can partially restrict that form of speech.

What is unclear is how much they can restrict it. Courts have suggested governments can "narrowly" restrict panhandling for the benefit of the public. But it is possible they might decide a six-day ban is too broad, Simons said.

"Depending on the whims of the court and depending on the effectiveness of the constitutional attornies that will most likely bring up the case, it's somewhat questionable at this time," Simons said.