The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes concerning the carrying and possession of weapons and firearms. It revises the definition of "law enforcement officer" to include individuals holding a judicial office and prohibits the carrying of concealed handguns or unconcealed firearms without a license, as well as the possession of such weapons without valid identification. The legislation allows for the open carrying of legal firearms and electric weapons, repeals provisions that previously prohibited open carry, and eliminates fees associated with licenses for concealed weapons. Additionally, it revises the list of places where carrying a handgun or concealed weapon is prohibited, providing exceptions for judges and members of the Legislature, while emphasizing the right to bear arms as guaranteed by the Second Amendment and the Florida Constitution.

The bill also addresses the authority of public defenders and their investigators, allowing them to carry concealed weapons while performing official duties, and clarifies the conditions under which firearms may be possessed in private conveyances. It allows law enforcement officers to seize firearms from individuals taken into custody who pose a danger and have made credible threats of violence, while removing the requirement for a risk protection order to hold firearms longer than 24 hours after involuntary examination. Furthermore, it updates the list of offenses for which minors must be fingerprinted, removing "open carrying of a weapon," and clarifies eligibility criteria for expunging criminal history records, ensuring that individuals adjudicated guilty of certain offenses remain ineligible for such actions. Overall, the bill aims to streamline regulations while enhancing the rights of specific personnel regarding firearm possession and improving public safety measures.

Statutes affected:
H 31 Filed: 790.013, 790.02, 790.051, 790.053, 790.065, 790.222, 394.463, 943.051, 943.0585, 943.059, 985.11