This 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 trunk or other locked container. Law enforcement agencies are required to promote public education on these storage requirements, and firearms education courses must include this instruction.

The bill also 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 introduces criminal penalties for violations of these storage requirements and declares the act as fulfilling an important state interest in preventing juvenile theft of handguns. The new language reinforces the responsibility of firearm owners to secure their weapons and aims to reduce the incidence of gun thefts from vehicles, which have significantly increased in recent years.

Statutes affected:
S 256 Filed: 790.25