Florida 2023 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H0571 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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10	10	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
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14	14	A bill to be entitled 1
15	15	An act relating to storage of firearms in private 2
16	16	conveyances and vessels; amending s. 790.25, F.S.; 3
17	17	prohibiting the storage of a firearms in unoccupied 4
18	18	private conveyances and vessels unless done so in a 5
19	19	specified manner; providing definitions; requiring 6
20	20	local law enforcement agencies to engage in a 7
21	21	promotional campaign; providing legislative findings; 8
22	22	directing counties to adopt specified ordinances 9
23	23	concerning parental responsibility for gun thefts from 10
24	24	conveyances and vessels by their minor children; 11
25	25	providing a finding of important state interest; 12
26	26	providing an effective date. 13
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28	28	Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 15
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30	30	Section 1. Subsection (5) of section 790.25, Florida 17
31	31	Statutes, is amended to read: 18
32	32	790.25 Lawful ownership, possession, and use of firearms 19
33	33	and other weapons.— 20
34	34	(5) POSSESSION IN PRIVATE CONVEYANCE. — 21
35	35	(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), notwithstanding 22
36	36	subsection (2), it is lawful and is not a violation of s. 790.01 23
37	37	for a person 18 years of age or older to possess a concealed 24
38	38	firearm or other weapon for self -defense or other lawful purpose 25
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47	47	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
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51	51	within the interior of a private conveyance, without a license, 26
52	52	if the firearm or other weapon is securely encased or is 27
53	53	otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use. Nothing in 28
54	54	this paragraph herein contained prohibits the carrying of a 29
55	55	legal firearm other than a handgun anywhere in a private 30
56	56	conveyance when such fir earm is being carried for a lawful use. 31
57	57	Nothing in this paragraph herein contained shall be construed to 32
58	58	authorize the carrying of a concealed firearm or other weapon on 33
59	59	the person. This paragraph subsection shall be liberally 34
60	60	construed in favor of the law ful use, ownership, and possession 35
61	61	of firearms and other weapons, including lawful self -defense as 36
62	62	provided in s. 776.012. 37
63	63	(b)1. A person may not store a firearm, loaded or 38
64	64	unloaded, in an unoccupied, unsecured private conveyance or 39
65	65	vessel unless the fir earm is kept from ordinary observation and 40
66	66	view and locked within a trunk, utility or glove box, or another 41
67	67	locked container or secured with a device or mechanism that is 42
68	68	securely affixed to the private conveyance or vessel. 43
69	69	2. As used in subparagraph 1. , the term: 44
70	70	a. "Private conveyance" includes any "motor vehicle" as 45
71	71	defined in s. 790.251(2)(b) other than a public conveyance. 46
72	72	b. "Unsecured" means a private conveyance interior or 47
73	73	vessel interior that is unlocked or otherwise left open to 48
74	74	entry. 49
75	75	c. "Vessel" has the same meaning as provided in s. 327.02. 50
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81	81	CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
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84	84	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
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88	88	3. Each law enforcement agency shall engage in a 51
89	89	promotional campaign to educate the public and gun owners of the 52
90	90	requirements of subparagraph 1. and that with gun ownership 53
91	91	comes responsibility as prescribed in the local ordinance 54
92	92	adopted under subparagraph 4. 55
93	93	4. The Legislature finds that it is the responsibility of 56
94	94	parents to supervise their children under 18 years of age. 57
95	95	Therefore, a parent of a child under 18 years of age who has 58
96	96	been found to have stolen a firearm from a conveyance or vessel 59
97	97	is subject to sanctions. Each county shall, no later than 60
98	98	January 1, 2024, adopt a local ordinance containing such 61
99	99	sanctions for parents of such minor offenders and direct local 62
100	100	law enforcement agencies to engage in a promotional campaign to 63
101	101	educate the public and gun owners in the county of their 64
102	102	responsibilities under the ordinance. 65
103	103	Section 2. It is the intent of the Legislature to provide 66
104	104	for the most efficient and effective deterrent to juvenile t heft 67
105	105	of firearms from vessels and conveyances, tailored to local 68
106	106	conditions and resources. Therefore, the Legislature determines 69
107	107	and declares that the provisions of this act fulfill an 70
108	108	important state interest. 71
109	109	Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023. 72