THE BILL ITSELF
SB 80
Safe Storage of Firearms and Ammunition in Motor Vehicles and Vessels
Florida Senate - 2026 SB 80 By Senator Berman 26-00098-26 202680__
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A bill to be entitled
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An act relating to safe storage of firearms and
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ammunition in motor vehicles and vessels; creating s.
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790.176, F.S.; defining the terms “motor vehicle,”
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“trunk,” and “vessel”; requiring persons who store or
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leave firearms or ammunition in motor vehicles or
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vessels under their control to keep the firearms or
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ammunition locked inside specified locations within
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the motor vehicles or vessels while such persons are
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not in the motor vehicles or vessels; providing
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criminal penalties; providing an effective date.
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Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
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Section 1. Section 790.176, Florida Statutes, is created to
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read:
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790.176 Requirements for safe storage of firearms and
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ammunition in motor vehicles and vessels.—
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(1) As used in this section, the term:
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(a) “Motor vehicle” has the same meaning as in s.
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320.01(1).
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(b) “Trunk” means the fully enclosed and locked main
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storage compartment of a motor vehicle which is not accessible
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from the passenger compartment. The term does not include a
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compartment that has a window, the bed of a pickup truck, or the
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rear area of a hatchback, station wagon-type motor vehicle, or
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sport utility motor vehicle.
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(c) “Vessel” has the same meaning as in s. 327.02.
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(2) A person who stores or leaves a firearm, whether loaded
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or unloaded, or ammunition in a motor vehicle or vessel under
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his or her control while the person is not in the motor vehicle
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or vessel must keep the firearm or ammunition locked inside the
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trunk, inside a locked utility or glove box, or inside a locked
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container securely affixed to the motor vehicle or vessel.
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(3) A person who violates subsection (2) commits a
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misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.
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775.082 or s. 775.083.
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Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law.