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 within 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 instruction on these new regulations.

The bill also revises the warnings required during the transfer or sale of firearms, emphasizing the legal consequences of improper storage of firearms in relation to minors. It includes a new provision that explicitly states the same storage requirements for handguns in the warnings provided to purchasers and at retail outlets. The legislation aims to address the rising rates of gun thefts from vehicles and vessels, particularly in light of the increased risks during the COVID-19 pandemic, and declares the act as fulfilling an important state interest in preventing juvenile theft of handguns.

Statutes affected:
S 256 Filed: 790.25