Florida Senate - 2025 SB 1096 By Senator Polsky 30-01857-25 20251096__ 1 A bill to be entitled 2 An act relating to weapons and firearms; providing a 3 short title; creating s. 790.0653, F.S.; providing 4 definitions; requiring a background check on every 5 sale or other transfer of a firearm; requiring 6 background checks on all persons involved in firearm 7 sales or other transfers; providing an exemption; 8 requiring that firearm sales or other transfers be 9 conducted through, and processed by, a licensed 10 dealer; authorizing a fee; providing exceptions; 11 providing criminal penalties; requiring the 12 investigating law enforcement agency to report certain 13 violations to the Attorney General; providing 14 applicability; amending s. 790.174, F.S.; revising 15 requirements for the safe storage of firearms; 16 providing and revising definitions; revising criminal 17 penalties for violations; providing exceptions; 18 amending s. 790.175, F.S.; requiring firearms sold by 19 licensed dealers be provided with trigger locks or gun 20 cases; revising the written warnings to be furnished 21 to purchasers and posted in gun dealerships; requiring 22 that certain materials be given to gun purchasers; 23 providing exceptions; requiring a licensed dealer and 24 a purchaser to sign a specified statement; providing 25 record retention requirements for dealers; providing 26 construction; providing criminal penalties; defining 27 the term licensed dealer; creating s. 790.223, F.S.; 28 providing definitions; prohibiting the manufacture, 29 assembly, importing, purchasing, selling, or 30 transferring of any firearm not imprinted with a valid 31 serial number; prohibiting specified acts involving 32 unfinished firearm frames or receivers; prohibiting 33 certain actions leading to the assembly of a firearm; 34 prohibiting certain activities involving a three 35 dimensional printer or computer numerical control 36 milling machine that has the primary or intended 37 function of manufacturing or assembling firearms or 38 related items; providing criminal penalties; providing 39 applicability; providing exceptions; providing 40 construction; creating the Veterans Firearm Suicide 41 Reduction Task Force; providing requirements for the 42 task force; providing membership; providing for staff 43 support; providing requirements for meetings; 44 specifying duties and powers of the task force; 45 authorizing the task force to seek assistance from 46 state agencies; requiring the task force to submit a 47 report; providing for repeal of the task force; 48 providing effective dates. 49 50 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 51 52 Section 1.This act may be cited as the Responsible Gun 53 Ownership Act. 54 Section 2.Section 790.0653, Florida Statutes, is created 55 to read: 56 790.0653Transfers of firearms; transfer through licensed 57 dealer required. 58 (1)As used in this section, the term: 59 (a)Background check means the process described in 18 60 U.S.C. s. 922(t) and s. 790.065 of using the National Instant 61 Criminal Background Check System and other systems to determine 62 that a person is not prohibited from possessing or receiving a 63 firearm under federal or state law. 64 (b)Family member means a spouse, whether by 65 consanguinity, adoption, or step-relation, or any of the 66 following relations: 67 1.Parent; 68 2.Child; 69 3.Sibling; 70 4.Grandparent; or 71 5.Grandchild. 72 (c)Firearm has the same meaning as in s. 790.001 and 73 includes any handgun, rifle, or shotgun or any completed or 74 unfinished frame or receiver. 75 (d)Licensed dealer means a person who holds a federal 76 firearms license issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. s. 923(a). 77 (e)Person means any individual, corporation, trust, 78 company, firm, partnership, association, club, organization, 79 society, joint stock company, or other legal entity. 80 (f)Purchaser or other transferee means an unlicensed 81 person who wishes or intends to receive a firearm from another 82 unlicensed person. 83 (g)Sale means the sale, delivery, or passing of 84 ownership or control of a firearm for a fee or other 85 consideration. 86 (h)Seller or other transferor means an unlicensed person 87 who wishes or intends to transfer a firearm to another 88 unlicensed person. 89 (i)Transfer means to furnish, give, lend, deliver, or 90 otherwise provide, with or without consideration. 91 (j)Unfinished frame or receiver means a forging, 92 casting, printing, extrusion, machined body, or similar item 93 that is: 94 1.Designed to or may readily be completed, assembled, or 95 otherwise converted to function as a frame or receiver; or 96 2.Marketed or sold to the public to become or be used as 97 the frame or receiver of a functional firearm, rifle, or shotgun 98 once completed, assembled, or otherwise converted. 99 100 However, the term does not include a component designed and 101 intended for use in an antique weapon. 102 (k)Unlicensed person means a person who is not a 103 licensed dealer. 104 (2)All persons involved in firearm sales or other 105 transfers, in whole or in part, are subject to background checks 106 unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. If the 107 person involved in the firearm sale or other transfer, in whole 108 or in part, is a corporation or any entity other than an 109 individual person, the principal individual or individuals 110 involved in such sale or other transfer on behalf of the 111 corporation or other entity are subject to background checks 112 unless specifically exempted by federal law. A person may not 113 sell or otherwise transfer a firearm unless: 114 (a)The person is a licensed dealer; 115 (b)The purchaser or other transferee is a licensed dealer; 116 or 117 (c)The requirements of subsection (3) are met. 118 (3)If neither party to a prospective firearm sale or other 119 transfer is a licensed dealer, the parties to the transaction 120 shall complete the sale or other transfer through a licensed 121 dealer as follows: 122 (a)The seller or other transferor and the purchaser or 123 other transferee shall appear jointly with the firearm at a 124 licensed dealer and request that the licensed dealer conduct a 125 background check on the purchaser or other transferee. 126 (b)A licensed dealer who agrees to facilitate a background 127 check under this section shall process the sale or other 128 transfer as if he or she were transferring the firearm from the 129 licensed dealers own inventory to the purchaser or other 130 transferee, complying with all requirements of federal and state 131 law that would apply if he or she were the seller or other 132 transferor of the firearm, including all background checks and 133 recordkeeping requirements. 134 (c)The seller or other transferor and the purchaser or 135 other transferee shall each complete, sign, and submit all state 136 and federal forms necessary to process the background check and 137 otherwise complete the sale or other transfer pursuant to this 138 section, and the licensed dealer shall indicate on the forms 139 that the sale or other transfer is between unlicensed persons. 140 (d)This section does not prevent the seller or other 141 transferor from removing the firearm from the premises of the 142 licensed dealer while the background check is being conducted or 143 during the applicable waiting period, provided that the seller 144 or other transferor returns to the business premises of the 145 licensed dealer and delivers the firearm to the licensed dealer 146 before completion of the sale or other transfer. 147 (e)A licensed dealer or a seller or other transferor may 148 not sell or otherwise transfer a firearm to a purchaser or other 149 transferee if the results of the background check indicate that 150 the purchaser or other transferee is prohibited from possessing 151 or receiving a firearm under federal or state law. 152 (f)A licensed dealer who agrees to conduct a background 153 check may charge a reasonable fee not to exceed the 154 administrative costs incurred by the licensed dealer for 155 facilitating the sale or other transfer of the firearm, plus 156 applicable fees pursuant to federal and state law. 157 (4)Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to the following: 158 (a)A law enforcement officer, as defined in s. 943.10(1), 159 or corrections agency, or a law enforcement officer or 160 correctional officer, as defined in s. 943.10(1) and (2), 161 respectively, vested with the authority to bear arms, acting 162 within the course and scope of his or her employment or official 163 duties. 164 (b)A United States Marshals Service officer, United States 165 Armed Forces or National Guard member, or federal official 166 vested with the authority to bear arms, acting within the course 167 and scope of his or her employment or official duties. 168 (c)A gunsmith who receives a firearm solely for the 169 purposes of service or repair who returns the firearm to its 170 lawful owner. 171 (d)A common carrier, warehouseman, or other person engaged 172 in the business of transportation or storage, to the extent that 173 the receipt of any firearm is in the ordinary course of business 174 and not for the personal use of any such person. 175 (e)A person who is not prohibited from possessing or 176 receiving a firearm under state or federal law who has 177 temporarily transferred a firearm: 178 1.Solely for the purpose of shooting at targets, if the 179 transfer occurs on the premises of a sport shooting range 180 authorized by the governing body of the jurisdiction in which 181 the range is located, or, if no such authorization is required, 182 operated consistently with local law in such jurisdiction, and 183 the firearm is at all times kept within the premises of the 184 sport shooting range; 185 2.While the person is accompanying the lawful owner of the 186 firearm and using the firearm for lawful hunting purposes, if 187 hunting is legal in all places where the person possesses the 188 firearm and the person holds all licenses and permits required 189 for such hunting; 190 3.While participating in a lawfully organized competition 191 involving the use of a firearm; or 192 4.While in the presence of the seller or other transferor. 193 (f)A family member of the seller or other transferor. This 194 paragraph does not apply if the lawful owner or family member 195 knows or has reasonable cause to believe that federal or state 196 law prohibits the family member from purchasing or possessing a 197 firearm, or the seller or other transferor knows or has 198 reasonable cause to believe that the family member is likely to 199 use the firearm for unlawful purposes. 200 (g)An executor, administrator, trustee, or personal 201 representative of an estate or trust that occurs by operation of 202 law upon the death of the former lawful owner of the firearm. 203 (h)The temporary transfer of a firearm if such transfer is 204 to prevent immediate or imminent death or great bodily harm to 205 ones self or others, provided that the person to whom the 206 firearm is transferred is not prohibited from possessing a 207 firearm under state or federal law and the temporary transfer 208 lasts no longer than necessary to prevent such immediate or 209 imminent death or great bodily harm. 210 (i)The sale or other transfer of an antique firearm. 211 (5)A person who violates this section commits a felony of 212 the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 213 775.083, or s. 775.084. 214 (6)In addition to any other penalty or remedy, the 215 investigating law enforcement agency shall report any violation 216 of this section committed by a licensed dealer to the Attorney 217 General. 218 (7)This section does not apply to any firearm modified to 219 render it permanently inoperable. 220 Section 3.Section 790.174, Florida Statutes, is amended to 221 read: 222 790.174Safe storage of firearms required. 223 (1)(a)A person who stores or leaves, on a premise under 224 his or her control, a loaded firearm, as defined in s. 790.001, 225 and who knows or reasonably should know that a minor is likely 226 to gain access to the firearm without the lawful permission of 227 the minors parent or the person having charge of the minor, or 228 without the supervision required by law, shall keep the firearm 229 in a securely locked box or container or in a location which a 230 reasonable person would believe to be secure or shall secure it 231 with a trigger lock, except when the person is carrying the 232 firearm on his or her body or within such close proximity 233 thereto that he or she can retrieve and use it as easily and 234 quickly as if he or she carried it on his or her body. 235 (b)A person who stores or leaves, on a premise under his 236 or her control, a firearm as defined in s. 790.001, and who 237 knows or reasonably should know that a prohibited user is likely 238 to gain access to the firearm, shall keep the firearm in a 239 securely locked box or container or shall secure it with a 240 trigger lock, except when the person is carrying the firearm on 241 his or her body or within such close proximity thereto that he 242 or she can retrieve and use the firearm as easily and quickly as 243 if he or she carried it on his or her body. For the purposes of 244 this section, the term prohibited user means any person who is 245 prohibited by state or federal law from possessing the firearm. 246 (2)Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) It is a 247 misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 248 775.082 or s. 775.083, if a person violates subsection (1): 249 (a)It is a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as 250 provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. 251 (b)If, as a result of the violation, by failing to store 252 or leave a firearm in the required manner And as a result 253 thereof a prohibited user or a minor gains access to the 254 firearm, without the lawful permission of the minors parent or 255 the person having charge of the minor, and possesses or exhibits 256 it, without the supervision required by law: 257 1.(a)In a public place; or 258 2.(b)In a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner in 259 violation of s. 790.10. 260 261 A person who violates subsection (1) commits a misdemeanor of 262 the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 263 775.083. 264 (c)The penalties provided in this section do not apply if 265 the prohibited user or the minor obtains the firearm: This 266 subsection does not apply 267 1.If the minor obtains the firearm As a result of an 268 unlawful entry by any person. 269 2.While lawfully acting in self-defense or defense of 270 another. 271 3.With the permission of the minors parent or guardian 272 and the minor uses or possesses the firearm during the minors 273 employment; ranching or farming; or target practice, hunting, or 274 instruction in the safe use of a firearm. 275 (3)As used in this section act, the term: 276 (a)Locked box or container means a secure container that 277 is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination 278 lock, or similar locking device. 279 (b)Locking device means a trigger lock, cable lock, or 280 similar lock that prevents an unloaded firearm from discharging 281 when the locking device is properly engaged, so as to render 282 such weapon inoperable by any person other than the owner or 283 other lawfully authorized user. 284 (c)Minor means any person under the age of 18 16. 285 Section 4.Section 790.175, Florida Statutes, is amended to 286 read: 287 790.175Transfer or sale of firearms; required warnings; 288 penalties. 289 (1)Except as provided in subsection (2), a licensed dealer 290 may not sell a firearm in this state unless the sale includes 291 one of the following: 292 (a)A commercially available trigger lock or other device 293 designed to disable the firearm and prevent the discharge of the 294 firearm. 295 (b)A commercially available gun case or storage container 296 that can be secured to prevent unauthorized access to the 297 firearm. 298 (2)(1)Upon the retail commercial sale or retail transfer 299 of any firearm, the licensed dealer seller or transferor shall 300 deliver: 301 (a)A written warning to the purchaser or transferee, which 302 warning states, in block letters not less than 1/4 inch in 303 height: 304 IT IS UNLAWFUL, AND PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT AND FINE, FOR 305 ANY ADULT TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN THE 306 REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE OR TO 307 KNOWINGLY SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION OF 308 A FIREARM TO A MINOR OR A PERSON OF UNSOUND MIND. YOU MAY BE 309 CRIMINALLY AND CIVILLY LIABLE FOR ANY HARM CAUSED BY A MINOR WHO 310 LAWFULLY GAINS UNSUPERVISED ACCESS TO YOUR FIREARM IF UNLAWFULLY 311 STORED. 312 (b)A brochure or pamphlet that includes safety information 313 on the use and storage of the firearm in a home environment. 314 (c)A written warning informing the purchaser of the 315 penalties for failing to store or leave a firearm in the manner 316 required under s. 790.174. 317 (3)(2)Any licensed dealer retail or wholesale store, shop, 318 or sales outlet which sells firearms must conspicuously post at 319 each purchase counter the following warning in block letters not 320 less than 1 inch in height: 321 IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY 322 PLACE WITHIN THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 323 18 YEARS OF AGE OR TO KNOWINGLY SELL OR OTHERWISE 324 TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION OF A FIREARM TO A 325 MINOR OR A PERSON OF UNSOUND MIND. 326 (4)This section does not apply to any of the following: 327 (a)The sale of a firearm to a law enforcement officer as 328 defined in s. 943.10(1) or an employing agency as defined in s. 329 943.10(4). 330 (b)The sale of a firearm to a person who presents to the 331 licensed dealer one of the following: 332 1.A trigger lock or other device designed to disable the 333 firearm and prevent the discharge of the firearm together with a 334 copy of the purchase receipt for the licensed dealer to keep. A 335 separate trigger lock or device and a separate purchase receipt 336 are required for each firearm purchased. 337 2.A gun case or storage container that can be secured to 338 prevent unauthorized access to the firearm together with a copy 339 of the purchase receipt for the licensed dealer to keep. A 340 separate gun case or storage container and a separate purchase 341 receipt are required for each firearm purchased. 342 (c)The sale of an antique firearm. 343 (5)Upon the sale of a firearm, a licensed dealer shall 344 sign a statement and require the purchaser to sign a statement 345 that the sale is in compliance with subsections (1), (3), and 346 (4). The dealer shall retain a copy of the signed statements 347 and, if applicable, a copy of the receipt prescribed in 348 paragraph (4)(b), for at least 6 years. 349 (6)(a)This section does not create a civil action or 350 liability for damages arising from the use or misuse of a 351 firearm or ammunition for a person, other than a licensed 352 dealer, who produces a firearm or ammunition. 353 (b)A licensed dealer is not liable for damages arising 354 from the use or misuse of a firearm if the sale complies with 355 this section, any other applicable law of this state, and 356 applicable federal law. 357 (7)(3)Any person or business knowingly violating a 358 requirement to provide warning under this section commits: 359 (a)For a first violation, a misdemeanor of the second 360 degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. 361 (b)For a second violation, a misdemeanor of the first 362 degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. 363 (c)For a third or subsequent violation, a felony of the 364 third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, 365 or s. 775.084. 366 (8)As used in this section, the term licensed dealer 367 means a person who holds a license as a dealer in firearms 368 issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. s. 923(a). 369 Section 5.Section 790.223, Florida Statutes, is created to 370 read: 371 790.223Unfinished firearms. 372 (1)As used in this section, the term: 373 (a)Federal licensee authorized to serialize firearms 374 means a person, firm, corporation, or other entity that holds 375 any valid federal license that authorizes the person, firm, 376 corporation, or other entity to imprint serial numbers onto 377 firearms and completed or unfinished frames or receivers 378 pursuant to chapter 44 of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 379 U.S.C. ss. 921 et seq., and regulations issued pursuant thereto. 380 (b)Federally licensed gunsmith, manufacturer, or 381 importer means a person, firm, corporation, or other entity 382 that holds a valid gunsmith license, or license to manufacture 383 or import firearms issued pursuant to chapter 44 of Title 18 of 384 the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. ss. 921 et seq., and 385 regulations issued pursuant thereto. 386 (c)Firearms importer or manufacturer means a person 387 licensed to import or manufacture firearms pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 388 chapter 44. 389 (d)Frame has the meaning attributed to it in chapter 44 390 of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. ss. 921 et 391 seq., and regulations issued pursuant thereto. 392 (e)Law enforcement agency has the same meaning as in s. 393 23.1225(1)(d). 394 (f)License to manufacture firearms means a valid license 395 to manufacture firearms issued pursuant to chapter 44 of Title 396 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. ss. 921 et seq., and 397 regulations issued pursuant thereto. 398 (g)Manufacture or assemble means to fabricate, 399 construct, make, fit together component parts of, or otherwise 400 produce, a firearm or completed or unfinished frame or receiver, 401 including through additive, subtractive, or other processes to 402 form, produce, or construct by manual labor or machinery. 403 (h)Receiver has the meaning attributed to it in chapter 404 44 of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. ss. 921 et 405 seq., and regulations issued pursuant thereto. 406 (i)Security exemplar has the meaning attributed to it in 407 chapter 44 of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. ss. 408 921 et seq., and regulations issued pursuant thereto. 409 (j)Undetectable firearm means a firearm manufactured, 410 assembled, or otherwise consisting entirely of nonmetal 411 substances, if one of the following is true: 412 1.After the removal of grips, stocks, and magazines, the 413 firearm is not detectable as a security exemplar by a walk 414 through metal detector calibrated to detect the security 415 exemplar; or 416 2.The firearm includes a major component that, if 417 subjected to inspection by the type of X-ray machines commonly 418 used at airports, would not generate an image that accurately 419 depicts the shape of the component. 420 421 As used in this paragraph, the term major component has the 422 meaning attributed to it in 18 U.S.C. s. 922. 423 (k)Unfinished frame or receiver has the same meaning as 424 provided in s. 790.0653(1)(j). 425 (l)Valid serial number means a serial number that has 426 been imprinted by a federal licensee authorized to serialize 427 firearms in accordance with federal law, or that has otherwise 428 been assigned to a firearm or completed or unfinished frame or 429 receiver pursuant to the laws of any state or pursuant to 430 chapter 53 of Title 26 of the United States Code, 26 U.S.C. ss. 431 5801 et seq., and the regulations issued pursuant thereto. 432 (2)It is unlawful to knowingly manufacture or assemble, 433 cause to be manufactured or assembled, import, purchase, sell, 434 offer for sale, or transfer ownership of any firearm that is not 435 imprinted with a valid serial number. 436 (3)It is unlawful to knowingly import, purchase, sell, 437 offer for sale, or transfer ownership of any completed or 438 unfinished frame or receiver, unless the completed or unfinished 439 frame or receiver: 440 (a)Is deemed to be a firearm pursuant to chapter 44 of 441 Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. ss. 921 et seq., 442 and regulations issued pursuant thereto. 443 (b)Is imprinted with a valid serial number. 444 (4)Beginning January 1, 2026, it is unlawful to knowingly 445 possess a firearm or any completed or unfinished frame or 446 receiver that is not imprinted with a valid serial number. 447 (5)A person may not knowingly manufacture or assemble or 448 cause to be manufactured or assembled, import, sell, offer for 449 sale, transfer, or possess any undetectable firearm. 450 (6)It is unlawful to use a three-dimensional printer or 451 computer numerical control (CNC) milling machine to manufacture 452 or assemble any firearm or completed or unfinished frame or 453 receiver within this state without a valid license to 454 manufacture firearms. 455 (7)It is unlawful to sell, offer to sell, transfer, 456 purchase, or receive a three-dimensional printer or CNC milling 457 machine that has the primary or intended function of 458 manufacturing or assembling firearms or completed or unfinished 459 frames or receivers if the recipient does not have a valid 460 license to manufacture firearms. 461 462 There is a presumption that a three-dimensional printer or CNC 463 milling machine has the primary or intended function of 464 manufacturing or assembling firearms or completed or unfinished 465 frame or receivers if the printer or machine is marketed or sold 466 in a manner that advertises that it may be used to manufacture 467 or assemble firearms or completed or unfinished frames or 468 receivers, or in a manner that foreseeably promotes the printer 469 or machines use in manufacturing or assembling such weapons, 470 regardless of whether the printer or machine is otherwise 471 described or classified as having other functions or as a 472 general-purpose printer or machine. 473 (8)Except by operation of law, it is unlawful for a person 474 who does not have a valid license to manufacture or assemble 475 firearms to sell or transfer ownership of a firearm if: 476 (a)The person manufactured or assembled the firearm 477 without a valid license to manufacture firearms; 478 (b)The person knowingly caused the firearm to be 479 manufactured or assembled by another person who does not have a 480 valid license to manufacture firearms; or 481 (c)The person is aware that the firearm was manufactured 482 or assembled by another person who does not have a valid license 483 to manufacture firearms. 484 (9)A person who violates this section commits: 485 (a)For the first offense, a misdemeanor of the first 486 degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. 487 (b)For a second or subsequent offense, a felony of the 488 third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, 489 or s. 775.084. 490 (10)This section does not apply to any of the following: 491 (a)A firearm or any completed or unfinished frame or 492 receiver that is an antique firearm, as defined in 27 C.F.R. s. 493 479.11, or that has been rendered permanently inoperable. 494 (b)The sale, offer for sale, or transfer of ownership of a 495 firearm or any completed or unfinished frame or receiver, to a 496 law enforcement agency. 497 (c)The manufacture or assembly, importation, purchase, 498 transfer, or possession of a firearm or any completed or 499 unfinished frame or receiver by a law enforcement agency for law 500 enforcement purposes. 501 (d)The sale or transfer of ownership of a firearm or any 502 completed or unfinished frame or receiver to a federally 503 licensed gunsmith, manufacturer, or importer, or to any other 504 federal licensee authorized to serialize firearms. 505 (e)The manufacture or assembly, importation, purchase, or 506 possession of a firearm or any completed or unfinished frame or 507 receiver by a federally licensed gunsmith, manufacturer, or 508 importer, or by any other federal licensee authorized to 509 serialize firearms. 510 (f)A member of the United States Armed Forces or the 511 National Guard while on duty and acting within the scope and 512 course of employment, or any law enforcement agency or forensic 513 laboratory. 514 (g)A common carrier, motor carrier, air carrier, or 515 carrier affiliated with an air carrier through common 516 controlling interest that is subject to Title 49 of the United 517 States Code, or an authorized agent of any such carrier, when 518 acting in the course and scope of duties incident to the 519 receipt, processing, transportation, or delivery of property. 520 (h)An authorized representative of local, state, or 521 federal government that receives a firearm or any completed or 522 unfinished frame or receiver as part of an authorized, voluntary 523 buyback program in which the governmental entity is buying or 524 receiving such weapons from private individuals. 525 (i)The possession and disposition of a firearm or any 526 completed or unfinished frame or receiver by a person who meets 527 all of the following: 528 1.The person is not prohibited by state or federal law 529 from possessing the weapon. 530 2.The person possessed the firearm or any completed or 531 unfinished frame or receiver no longer than was necessary to 532 deliver it to a law enforcement agency for that agencys 533 disposition according to law. 534 3.If the person is transporting the firearm or any 535 completed or unfinished frame or receiver, the person is 536 transporting it to a law enforcement agency in order to deliver 537 it to the agency for the agencys disposition according to law. 538 (j)The possession or importation of a firearm or any 539 completed or unfinished frame or receiver by a nonresident of 540 the state who: 541 1.Is traveling with the firearm or completed or unfinished 542 frame or receiver in the state in accordance with 18 U.S.C. s. 543 926A; or 544 2.Possesses or imports the firearm or completed or 545 unfinished frame or receiver in the state exclusively for use in 546 an organized sport shooting event or competition, and no longer 547 than reasonably necessary to participate in such an event or 548 competition. 549 (k)The possession or importation of a firearm or any 550 completed or unfinished frame or receiver by a new resident 551 moving into the state who, within 90 days after moving into the 552 state, causes the firearm or completed or unfinished frame or 553 receiver to be imprinted with a valid serial number, removes the 554 weapon from the state, or otherwise comes into compliance with 555 this section. 556 Section 6.This act does not prohibit the sale of an 557 unfinished frame or receiver or firearm that is not imprinted 558 with a serial number to a firearms importer or manufacturer or a 559 licensed dealer before January 1, 2026. As used in this section, 560 the term licensed dealer means a person licensed as a dealer 561 in firearms issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. s. 923(a). 562 Section 7.Effective July 1, 2025, the Veterans Firearm 563 Suicide Reduction Task Force is created. 564 (1)The Veterans Firearm Suicide Reduction Task Force, a 565 task force as defined in s. 20.03, is created within the 566 Department of Veterans Affairs. Except as otherwise provided in 567 this section, the task force shall comply with the requirements 568 of s. 20.052. 569 (2)(a)The 10-member task force shall convene no later than 570 September 1, 2025, and must be composed of two members appointed 571 by each of the following: the Governor, the President of the 572 Senate, the Minority Leader of the Senate, the Speaker of the 573 House of Representatives, and the Minority Leader of the House 574 of Representatives. Appointments must be made by August 1, 2025. 575 The Governor shall appoint a chair from among the members. 576 Members serve at the pleasure of the appointing officer. A 577 vacancy on the task force must be filled in the same manner as 578 the original appointment. 579 (b)The general counsel of the Department of Veterans 580 Affairs shall serve as the general counsel for the task force. 581 (c)The chair shall assign staff from the Department of 582 Veterans Affairs to assist the task force in performing its 583 duties. 584 (d)The task force shall meet at the call of the chair, as 585 necessary to conduct its work, at a time and location in this 586 state designated by the chair. The task force may conduct its 587 meetings through teleconferences or other similar means. 588 (3)The task force shall investigate the causes of suicide 589 by veterans, focusing on suicides involving firearms. In 590 addition, the task force shall report on strategies and 591 initiatives to reduce the rate of suicide among veterans with a 592 focus on firearm suicides. 593 (4)The task force may call upon appropriate state agencies 594 for such professional assistance as may be needed in the 595 discharge of its duties, and such agencies shall provide such 596 assistance in a timely manner. 597 (5)The task force shall submit a report on its findings 598 and recommendations to the Governor, the President of the 599 Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives by 600 January 1, 2026. 601 (6)This section is repealed upon submission of the task 602 force report. 603 Section 8.Except as otherwise expressly provided in this 604 act and this section, which shall take effect July 1, 2025, this 605 act shall take effect October 1, 2025.