TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As part of this year’s Legislative session, Florida state lawmakers have been busy filing hundreds of different bills.
Among these, several are aimed at changing up state laws involving gun ownership, pushed by Republicans and Democrats alike. These bills involve topics like age limits, storage requirements, and harsh crackdowns on gun sales.
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To become law, these bills require the approval of both the state Senate and House, as well as a signature from Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Below is a list of these gun-related bills currently set for consideration by lawmakers:
HB 15 — Storing Handguns in Cars
House Bill 15 would prohibit gun owners from storing handguns in their cars unless the firearm is properly locked up in a trunk, glove box, or other secure container.
The bill would also require counties to place sanctions on parents whose children have stolen a handgun from a car. Those sanctions include parent education classes, community service projects, and family counseling.
If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.
A similar bill was filed in the Senate.
HB 53 — Ammo Background Checks
House Bill 53 — dubbed “Jaime’s Law” — seeks to require background checks for the sale of ammunition; not just firearms.
The bill was named after one of the 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018.
If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.
A similar bill was filed in the Senate.
HB 491 — A.I. and Firearms
House Bill 491 would prohibit the use of artificial intelligence in detecting firearms in public areas.
However, the bill carves out exceptions for locations like school campuses, police stations, courthouses, airports, polling places and bars, among others.
If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.
An identical bill was filed in the Senate.
HB 759 — Age Restrictions
House Bill 759 aims to reduce the minimum age limit for purchasing a firearm from 21 years of age down to 18.
If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.
A similar bill was filed in the Senate.
HB 1019 — Background Checks
House Bill 1019 — dubbed the “Responsible Gun Ownership Act” — would require a background check for everyone involved in the sale or transfer of a firearm.
In addition, the bill would prevent a person from selling or transferring a firearm unless he/she or the buyer is a licensed dealer. If neither meets that criteria, then the seller and buyer would have to work with a licensed dealer to perform the background check.
Beyond that, the bill would also make the following rule changes:
- Gun owners are required to store their firearms in a securely locked container.
- Gun dealers may not sell a firearm unless the sale also includes a device designed to disable the firearm, or a gun case to safely store the firearm.
- Residents may not legally possess a firearm that doesn’t have a valid serial number, such as a homemade firearm or “ghost gun.”
- Residents may not use a 3D printer to make their own firearms without a valid license.
If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.
A similar bill was filed in the Senate.
HB 6003 — Firearms Preemption
House Bill 6003 would repeal a state statute that preempts the regulation of firearms and ammunition to the state Legislature.
This would allow local governments to enact their own gun-related regulations, including gun sales, ownership, possession, storage and taxation.
If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1.
An identical bill was filed in the Senate.
HB 6025 — Declared Emergencies
House Bill 6025 would repeal a state statute that prohibits firearms from being sold or carried in public during a state of emergency.
If approved, the bill would take effect immediately.
An identical bill was filed in the Senate.
SB 188 — Sensitive Locations
Senate Bill 188 would prohibit the possession or use of firearms in a “sensitive location.”
According to the bill, sensitive locations includes the following areas:
- Health care facilities
- Government buildings and schools
- Parks, playgrounds and recreational facilities
- Churches and other places of worship
- Public libraries
- Homeless shelters
- Bars or cannabis vendors
- Museums, stadiums, theaters and concerts
Under this bill, anyone who violates the rule could be charged with a second-degree felony.
If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.
SB 814 — School Property
Senate Bill 814 aims to ban people from storing — rather than possessing — firearms at school-sponsored events or on school property.
In addition, the bill would allow gun owners to carry a firearm on college or university campuses.
However, the bill would also let universities designate a specific area of the campus as a “sensitive location” when hosting sports events, where concealed weapons would be prohibited.
If approved, the bill would take effect on July 1
SB 1338 — Assault Weapons Ban
Senate Bill 814 would ban the sale or possession of “assault weapons” — firearms capable of automatic, semiautomatic or burst fire.
The bill provides a few exceptions, such as if the assault weapon is kept at the owner’s home or gun range.
If approved, the bill would take effect on Oct. 1.