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 in a container. Law enforcement agencies are required to conduct a promotional campaign to educate the public on these storage requirements, and firearms education courses must include instruction on these new regulations.

Furthermore, the bill revises the warnings required during the transfer or sale of firearms, emphasizing the legal obligations regarding the storage of firearms in relation to minors. It includes a new warning that explicitly states the conditions under which a handgun may be stored in an unoccupied, unsecured private conveyance or vessel. The bill also declares the intent of the Legislature to deter juvenile theft of handguns from such locations, asserting that this act serves an important state interest.

Statutes affected:
H 159 Filed: 790.25