HB 571 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0571-00
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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; requiring 6
local law enforcement agencies to engage in a 7
promotional campaign; providing legislative findings; 8
directing counties to adopt specified ordinances 9
concerning parental responsibility for gun thefts from 10
conveyances and vessels by their minor children; 11
providing a finding of important state interest; 12
providing an effective date. 13
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 15
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Section 1. Subsection (5) of section 790.25, Florida 17
Statutes, is amended to read: 18
790.25 Lawful ownership, possession, and use of firearms 19
and other weapons.— 20
(5) POSSESSION IN PRIVATE CONVEYANCE. — 21
(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), notwithstanding 22
subsection (2), it is lawful and is not a violation of s. 790.01 23
for a person 18 years of age or older to possess a concealed 24
firearm or other weapon for self -defense or other lawful purpose 25
HB 571 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0571-00
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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
within the interior of a private conveyance, without a license, 26
if the firearm or other weapon is securely encased or is 27
otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use. Nothing in 28
this paragraph herein contained prohibits the carrying of a 29
legal firearm other than a handgun anywhere in a private 30
conveyance when such fir earm is being carried for a lawful use. 31
Nothing in this paragraph herein contained shall be construed to 32
authorize the carrying of a concealed firearm or other weapon on 33
the person. This paragraph subsection shall be liberally 34
construed in favor of the law ful use, ownership, and possession 35
of firearms and other weapons, including lawful self -defense as 36
provided in s. 776.012. 37
(b)1. A person may not store a firearm, loaded or 38
unloaded, in an unoccupied, unsecured private conveyance or 39
vessel unless the fir earm is kept from ordinary observation and 40
view and locked within a trunk, utility or glove box, or another 41
locked container or secured with a device or mechanism that is 42
securely affixed to the private conveyance or vessel. 43
2. As used in subparagraph 1. , the term: 44
a. "Private conveyance" includes any "motor vehicle" as 45
defined in s. 790.251(2)(b) other than a public conveyance. 46
b. "Unsecured" means a private conveyance interior or 47
vessel interior that is unlocked or otherwise left open to 48
entry. 49
c. "Vessel" has the same meaning as provided in s. 327.02. 50
HB 571 2023
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0571-00
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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
3. Each law enforcement agency shall engage in a 51
promotional campaign to educate the public and gun owners of the 52
requirements of subparagraph 1. and that with gun ownership 53
comes responsibility as prescribed in the local ordinance 54
adopted under subparagraph 4. 55
4. The Legislature finds that it is the responsibility of 56
parents to supervise their children under 18 years of age. 57
Therefore, a parent of a child under 18 years of age who has 58
been found to have stolen a firearm from a conveyance or vessel 59
is subject to sanctions. Each county shall, no later than 60
January 1, 2024, adopt a local ordinance containing such 61
sanctions for parents of such minor offenders and direct local 62
law enforcement agencies to engage in a promotional campaign to 63
educate the public and gun owners in the county of their 64
responsibilities under the ordinance. 65
Section 2. It is the intent of the Legislature to provide 66
for the most efficient and effective deterrent to juvenile t heft 67
of firearms from vessels and conveyances, tailored to local 68
conditions and resources. Therefore, the Legislature determines 69
and declares that the provisions of this act fulfill an 70
important state interest. 71
Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 72