He is a real estate broker for Turnberry International Realty, and owner of North Miami KB's Christmas Trees.

[1] In February 2009, Burns announced his campaign to seek the seat in the United States Senate being vacated by incumbent Mel Martinez.

[3] Burns lost to Gwen Margolis in the Democratic primary for State Senate District 35 in August 2010.

He is also a past president of the Keystone Point Home Owners Association, a former chairman of the North Miami University Relations Board, and a founding member of the Community Policing Commission.

Burns lives in North Miami with his husband of 30 years Rob Flint and their daughter Autumn.