SESSION WATCH
Died SENATE · SESSION 2026

No. SB 80

Safe Storage of Firearms and Ammunition in Motor Vehicles and Vessels
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SPONSOR
Berman
FILED BY
Lori Berman — District 26, Democrat [search donations]
EFFECTIVE
Upon becoming a law
DIED IN
Criminal Justice

Filed under Criminal Justice.

PROVIDED SUMMARY

Safe Storage of Firearms and Ammunition in Motor Vehicles and Vessels; Defining the terms “motor vehicle,” “trunk,” and “vessel”; requiring persons who store or leave firearms or ammunition in motor vehicles or vessels under their control to keep the firearms or ammunition locked inside specified locations within the motor vehicles or vessels while such persons are not in the motor vehicles or vessels, etc.

Full bill text →

Plain English Summary

AI-GENERATED
Mandates locking firearms and ammunition in vehicles and vessels.

Anyone leaving a firearm or ammunition in a vehicle or vessel must lock it in a specific location.

The law defines a trunk as a fully enclosed, locked main storage compartment not accessible from the passenger area.

Violating these storage requirements is a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable under existing state penalty statutes.

The rule applies to all motor vehicles and vessels under a person's control while they are absent.

KEY PROVISIONS
§ 1 Mandatory Locking Requirement majors. 790.176(2)

AICreates a new legal duty requiring anyone who leaves a firearm or ammunition in a vehicle or boat to lock it in a specific, secure location while they are away.

“must keep the firearm or ammunition locked inside the trunk, inside a locked utility or glove box, or inside a locked container securely affixed to the motor vehicle or vessel.” bill text, line 32 →
§ 2 Criminal Penalty for Violation majors. 790.176(3)

AIEstablishes a second-degree misdemeanor penalty for failing to comply with the mandatory safe storage requirements.

“commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083” bill text, line 35 →
§ 3 Strict Definition of 'Trunk' moderates. 790.176(1)(b)

AINarrows the definition of a 'trunk' to exclude common vehicle areas, forcing owners to use a locked container or glove box for most modern vehicles.

“does not include a compartment that has a window, the bed of a pickup truck, or the rear area of a hatchback, station wagon-type motor vehicle, or sport utility motor vehicle” bill text, line 24 →
TIMELINE
3/13/2026
Died in Criminal Justice
1/13/2026
Introduced
10/6/2025
Referred to Criminal Justice; Judiciary; Rules
9/24/2025
Filed
STATUTES IT CHANGES
s. 790.176
+189 / −0