Florida Senate - 2026 SB By Senator Berman 26-00098-26 202680__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. A bill to be entitled

An act relating to safe storage of firearms and ammunition in motor vehicles and vessels; creating s. 3 790.176, F.S.; defining the terms “motor vehicle,” 4 “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; providing criminal penalties; providing an effective date. 11

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 13

Section

Section 790.176, Florida Statutes, is created to read: 16 790.176 Requirements for safe storage of firearms and ammunition in motor vehicles and vessels.— 18

(1) As used in this section, the term: 19

(a) “Motor vehicle” has the same meaning as in s. 20 320.01(1). 21

(b) “Trunk” means the fully enclosed and locked main storage compartment of a motor vehicle which is not accessible from the passenger compartment. The term 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. 27

(c) “Vessel” has the same meaning as in s. 327.02. 28

(2) A person who stores or leaves a firearm, whether loaded Florida Senate - 2026 SB 80 26-00098-26 202680__ CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions. or unloaded, or ammunition in a motor vehicle or vessel under his or her control while the person is not in the motor vehicle or vessel 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. 34

(3) A person who violates subsection (2) commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 36 775.082 or s. 775.083. 37

Section 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law. 38