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 Veteran’s 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:
56 790.0653 Transfers 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 dealer’s 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 one’s 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:
222 790.174 Safe 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 minor’s 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 minor’s 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 minor’s parent or guardian
272 and the minor uses or possesses the firearm during the minor’s
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:
287 790.175 Transfer 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:
371 790.223 Unfinished 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 machine’s 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 agency’s
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 agency’s 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 Veteran’s Firearm
563 Suicide Reduction Task Force is created.
564 (1) The Veteran’s 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.