The bill amends Florida Statutes to establish new requirements for the storage of handguns in private conveyances and vessels, effective October 1, 2026. It stipulates that individuals aged 18 and older may possess a handgun in a private conveyance only if it is securely encased or not readily accessible for immediate use. Additionally, it prohibits storing a handgun, whether loaded or unloaded, in an unoccupied and unsecured private conveyance or vessel unless it is kept from ordinary observation and secured with a device affixed to the conveyance or locked within a trunk or other locked container. Law enforcement agencies are required to engage in a promotional campaign to educate the public about these storage requirements, and firearms education courses must include instruction on these new regulations.

Furthermore, the bill revises the required warnings for the transfer or sale of firearms, emphasizing the prohibition against storing firearms within reach of minors and the new storage requirements for handguns in unsecured conveyances or vessels. The bill includes penalties for violations and declares the intent of the Legislature to deter juvenile theft of handguns, asserting that this act serves an important state interest.

Statutes affected:
H 159 Filed: 790.25