HB 419 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0419-00
Page 1 of 3
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 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 a finding of important 8
state interest; providing an effective date. 9
10
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 11
12
Section 1. Subsection (4) of section 790.25, Florida 13
Statutes, is amended to read: 14
790.25 Lawful ownership, possession, and use of firearms 15
and other weapons.— 16
(4) POSSESSION IN PRIVATE CONVEYANCE. — 17
(a)1. Except as provided in paragraph (b), notwithstanding 18
s. 790.01, a person 18 years of age or older who is in lawful 19
possession of a handgun or other weapon may possess such a 20
handgun or weapon within the interior of a private conveyance if 21
the handgun or weapon is securely encased or otherwise not 22
readily accessible for immediate use. A person who possesses a 23
handgun or other weapon as authorized under this subparagraph 24
paragraph may not carry the handgun or weapon on his or her 25
HB 419 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0419-00
Page 2 of 3
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
person. 26
2.(b) This paragraph subsection does not prohibit a person 27
from carrying a: 28
a.1. Legal firearm other than a handgun anywhere in a 29
private conveyance when such firearm is being carried for a 30
lawful use; or 31
b.2. Concealed weapon or concealed firearm on his or her 32
person while in a private conveyance if he or she is authorized 33
to carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm under s. 34
790.01(1). 35
3.(c) This paragraph subsection shall be liberally 36
construed in favor of the lawful use, ownership, and possession 37
of firearms and other weapons, including lawful self -defense as 38
provided in s. 776.012. 39
(b)1. A person may not store a firearm, loaded or 40
unloaded, in an unoccupied, unsecured private conveyance or 41
vessel unless the firearm is kept from ordinary observation and 42
view and locked within a trunk, utility or glove box, or another 43
locked container, or secured with a device or mechanism that is 44
securely affixed to the private conveyance or vessel. 45
2. As used in subparagraph 1., the term: 46
a. "Private conveyance" inc ludes any "motor vehicle" as 47
defined in s. 790.251(2)(b) other than a public conveyance. 48
b. "Unsecured" means a private conveyance interior or 49
vessel interior that is unlocked or otherwise left open to 50
HB 419 2024
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb0419-00
Page 3 of 3
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
entry. 51
c. "Vessel" has the same meaning as provided in s. 327.02. 52
3. Each law enforcement agency shall engage in a 53
promotional campaign to educate the public and gun owners of the 54
requirements of subparagraph 1. 55
Section 2. It is the intent of the Legislature to provide 56
for the most efficient and effective deterrent to juvenile theft 57
of firearms from vessels and conveyances, tailored to local 58
conditions and resources. Therefore, the Legislature determines 59
and declares that the provisions of this act fulfill an 60
important state interest. 61
Section 3. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024. 62