HB 277 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0277-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to storage of firearms in private 2
conveyances and vessels; amending s. 790.25, F.S.; 3
prohibiting the storage of a firearms in unoccupied 4
private conveyances and vessels unless done so in a 5
specified manner; providing definitions; providing 6
criminal penalties; providing an effective date. 7
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 9
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Section 1. Subsection (5) of section 790.25, Florida 11
Statutes, is amended to read: 12
790.25 Lawful ownership, possession, and use of firearms 13
and other weapons.— 14
(5) POSSESSION IN PRIVATE CONVEYANCE. — 15
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), notwithstanding 16
subsection (2), it is lawful and is no t a violation of s. 790.01 17
for a person 18 years of age or older to possess a concealed 18
firearm or other weapon for self -defense or other lawful purpose 19
within the interior of a private conveyance, without a license, 20
if the firearm or other weapon is secur ely encased or is 21
otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use. Nothing in 22
this paragraph herein contained prohibits the carrying of a 23
legal firearm other than a handgun anywhere in a private 24
conveyance when such firearm is being carried for a lawful use. 25
HB 277 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0277-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
Nothing in this paragraph herein contained shall be construed to 26
authorize the carrying of a concealed firearm or other weapon on 27
the person. This paragraph subsection shall be liberally 28
construed in favor of the lawful use, ownership, and possession 29
of firearms and other weapons, including lawful self -defense as 30
provided in s. 776.012. 31
(b)1. A person may not store a firearm, loaded or 32
unloaded, in an unoccupied, unsecured private conveyance or 33
vessel unless the firearm is kept from ordinary observa tion and 34
view and locked within a trunk, utility or glove box, or another 35
locked container or secured with a device or mechanism that is 36
securely affixed to the private conveyance or vessel. 37
2. As used in subparagraph 1., the term: 38
a. "Private conveyan ce" includes any "motor vehicle" as 39
defined in s. 790.251(2)(b) other than a public conveyance. 40
b. "Unsecured" means a private conveyance interior or 41
vessel interior that is unlocked or otherwise left open to 42
entry. 43
c. "Vessel" has the same meaning as provided in s. 327.02. 44
3.a Except as provided in subparagraph b., a violation of 45
this paragraph is a misdemeanor of the second degree punishable 46
provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. 47
b. If a firearm is discovered in violation of this 48
paragraph by a person committing a criminal offense, the 49
violation of this paragraph is a misdemeanor of the first degree 50
HB 277 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0277-00
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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
punishable provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. 51
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 52