SESSION WATCH
Died HOUSE · SESSION 2026

No. HB 159

Storage of Handguns in Private Conveyances and Vessels
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SPONSOR
Hinson; Daley
FILED BY
Yvonne Hinson — District 21, Democrat [search donations]
Dan Daley — District 96, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this act, this act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
DIED IN
Criminal Justice Subcommittee

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Storage of Handguns in Private Conveyances and Vessels; Provides requirements for storage of handguns in private conveyances & vessels; requires law enforcement agencies to engage in specified promotional campaign; provides that certain firearms education, safety, & training courses shall include instruction on requirements for storage of handguns in private conveyances & vessels; revises required warnings for transfer or sale of firearms; provides declaration of important state interest.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Bans leaving unlocked handguns in unoccupied vehicles and boats.

Florida law now prohibits storing a handgun in an unoccupied, unsecured private conveyance or vessel unless it is hidden from view and locked in a trunk, glove box, or other container.

The new rule applies to both loaded and unloaded handguns and covers all private vehicles and boats, not just those carrying minors.

Law enforcement agencies must run public education campaigns about the new storage requirements, and firearms safety courses must include instruction on them.

Retail firearm sellers must add the new storage warning to their written transfer documents and posted counter signs.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 New Storage Requirement for Handguns in Unoccupied Vehicles and Boats majors. 790.25(4)(a)

AICreates a new legal duty requiring specific securement of handguns left in unoccupied private conveyances or vessels.

“A person may not store a handgun, whether loaded or unloaded, in an unoccupied, unsecured private conveyance or vessel unless the handgun is kept from ordinary observation and view” bill text, line 50 →
§ 2 Mandatory Law Enforcement Public Education Campaign moderates. 790.25(4)(a)

AIImposes a new affirmative duty on every law enforcement agency to conduct public education regarding the new storage rules.

“Each law enforcement agency shall engage in a promotional campaign to educate the public and handgun owners regarding the requirements of sub-subparagraph a.” bill text, line 62 →
§ 3 Mandatory Curriculum Updates for Firearms Training moderates. 790.25(4)(a)

AIRequires specific firearms education and safety courses to include instruction on the new storage requirements.

“The curricula of the firearms education, safety, and training courses specified in s. 790.06(2)(h)1.-4. and 7. shall contain instruction on the requirements of sub-subparagraph a.” bill text, line 65 →
§ 4 Updated Written Warnings for Retail Firearm Sales moderates. 790.175(1)

AIRequires sellers to include the new storage prohibition in the written warning delivered during retail sales or transfers.

“A PERSON MAY NOT STORE A HANDGUN, WHETHER LOADED OR UNLOADED, IN AN UNOCCUPIED, UNSECURED PRIVATE CONVEYANCE OR VESSEL UNLESS THE HANDGUN IS KEPT FROM ORDINARY OBSERVATION AND VIEW” bill text, line 50 →
§ 5 Updated Posted Warnings for Firearm Retailers moderates. 790.175(2)

AIRequires firearm retailers to post the new storage prohibition at each purchase counter.

“A PERSON MAY NOT STORE A HANDGUN, WHETHER LOADED OR UNLOADED, IN AN UNOCCUPIED, UNSECURED PRIVATE CONVEYANCE OR VESSEL UNLESS THE HANDGUN IS KEPT FROM ORDINARY OBSERVATION AND VIEW” bill text, line 50 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
1/13/2026
1st Reading (Original Filed Version)
10/21/2025
Now in Criminal Justice Subcommittee
10/21/2025
Referred to Judiciary Committee
10/21/2025
Referred to Intergovernmental Affairs Subcommittee
10/21/2025
Referred to Criminal Justice Subcommittee
10/14/2025
Filed
1 EARLIER →
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 790.25
+164 / −1
s. 790.175
+120 / −0