Florida Senate - 2025 SB 252
By Senator Polsky
30-00548-25 2025252__
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.; defining
4 terms; requiring background checks on all persons
5 involved in a firearm sale or other transfer;
6 requiring that firearm sales or other transfers
7 between unlicensed persons be conducted through, and
8 processed by, a licensed dealer; specifying
9 requirements for firearm sales or transfers through
10 licensed dealers; authorizing a fee; providing
11 exceptions; providing criminal penalties; requiring
12 the investigating law enforcement agency to report
13 certain violations to the Attorney General; providing
14 applicability; amending s. 790.174, F.S.; revising
15 requirements for the safe storage of firearms;
16 revising criminal penalties for violations; providing
17 exceptions; defining terms and revising the definition
18 of the term “minor”; amending s. 790.175, F.S.;
19 prohibiting licensed dealers from selling firearms
20 without trigger locks or gun cases; providing
21 exceptions; revising written warnings required to be
22 delivered by licensed dealers to purchasers or
23 transferees upon retail commercial sales or retail
24 transfers of firearms; requiring that certain written
25 materials be delivered to gun purchasers; providing
26 applicability; requiring licensed dealers and
27 purchasers to sign a specified statement; providing
28 record retention requirements for licensed dealers;
29 providing construction; providing criminal penalties;
30 defining the term “licensed dealer”; creating s.
31 790.223, F.S.; defining terms; prohibiting certain
32 actions leading to the manufacture or assembly, sale,
33 importing, purchasing, offering for sale, or transfer
34 of a firearm not imprinted with a valid serial number;
35 prohibiting specified acts involving unfinished
36 firearm frames or receivers; prohibiting specified
37 acts involving undetectable firearms; prohibiting
38 certain activities involving a three-dimensional
39 printer or computer numerical control milling machine
40 that has the primary or intended function of
41 manufacturing or assembling firearms or related items;
42 providing an exception; providing criminal penalties;
43 providing applicability; providing construction;
44 defining the term “licensed dealer”; providing an
45 effective date.
46
47 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
48
49 Section 1. This act may be cited as the “Responsible Gun
50 Ownership Act.”
51 Section 2. Section 790.0653, Florida Statutes, is created
52 to read:
53 790.0653 Transfers of firearms; transfer through licensed
54 dealer required.—
55 (1) As used in this section, the term:
56 (a) “Background check” means the process described in 18
57 U.S.C. s. 922(t) and s. 790.065 of using the National Instant
58 Criminal Background Check System and other systems to determine
59 whether a person is prohibited from possessing or receiving a
60 firearm under federal or state law.
61 (b) “Family member” means a spouse or any of the following
62 relations, whether by consanguinity, adoption, or step-relation:
63 1. Parent;
64 2. Child;
65 3. Sibling;
66 4. Grandparent; or
67 5. Grandchild.
68 (c) “Firearm” has the same meaning as in s. 790.001 and
69 includes any handgun, rifle, or shotgun or any completed or
70 unfinished frame or receiver.
71 (d) “Licensed dealer” means a person who holds a federal
72 firearms license issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. s. 923(a).
73 (e) “Person” means any individual, corporation, trust,
74 company, firm, partnership, association, club, organization,
75 society, joint stock company, or other legal entity.
76 (f) “Purchaser or other transferee” means an unlicensed
77 person who wishes or intends to receive a firearm from another
78 unlicensed person.
79 (g) “Sale” means the sale, delivery, or passing of
80 ownership or control of a firearm for a fee or other
81 consideration.
82 (h) “Seller or other transferor” means an unlicensed person
83 who wishes or intends to transfer a firearm to another
84 unlicensed person.
85 (i) “Transfer” means to furnish, give, lend, deliver, or
86 otherwise provide, with or without consideration.
87 (j) “Unfinished frame or receiver” means a forging,
88 casting, printing, extrusion, machined body, or similar item
89 that is:
90 1. Designed to or may be readily completed, assembled, or
91 otherwise converted to function as a frame or receiver; or
92 2. Marketed or sold to the public to become or be used as
93 the frame or receiver of a functional firearm, rifle, or shotgun
94 once completed, assembled, or otherwise converted.
95
96 However, the term does not include a component designed and
97 intended for use in an antique weapon.
98 (k) “Unlicensed person” means a person who is not a
99 licensed dealer.
100 (2) All persons involved in a firearm sale or other
101 transfer, in whole or in part, shall be subject to a background
102 check unless specifically exempted by state or federal law. If
103 the person involved in the firearm sale or other transfer, in
104 whole or in part, is a corporation or any entity other than an
105 individual person, the principal individual or individuals
106 involved in such sale or other transfer on behalf of the
107 corporation or other entity shall be subject to background
108 checks unless specifically exempted by federal law. A person may
109 not sell or otherwise transfer a firearm unless:
110 (a) The person is a licensed dealer;
111 (b) The purchaser or other transferee is a licensed dealer;
112 or
113 (c) The requirements of subsection (3) are met.
114 (3) If neither party to a prospective firearm sale or other
115 transfer is a licensed dealer, the parties to the transaction
116 must complete the sale or other transfer through a licensed
117 dealer as follows:
118 (a) The seller or other transferor and the purchaser or
119 other transferee must appear jointly with the firearm before a
120 licensed dealer and request that the licensed dealer conduct a
121 background check on the purchaser or other transferee.
122 (b) A licensed dealer who agrees to conduct a background
123 check pursuant to this section shall process the sale or other
124 transfer as if he or she were transferring the firearm from the
125 licensed dealer’s own inventory to the purchaser or other
126 transferee, complying with all requirements of federal and state
127 law which would apply if he or she were the seller or other
128 transferor of the firearm, including all background checks and
129 recordkeeping requirements.
130 (c) The seller or other transferor and the purchaser or
131 other transferee must each complete, sign, and submit all state
132 and federal forms necessary to process the background check and
133 otherwise complete the sale or other transfer pursuant to this
134 section, and the licensed dealer must indicate on the forms that
135 the sale or other transfer is between unlicensed persons.
136 (d) This section does not prevent the seller or other
137 transferor from removing the firearm from the premises of the
138 licensed dealer while the background check is being conducted or
139 during the applicable waiting period, provided that the seller
140 or other transferor returns to the business premises of the
141 licensed dealer and delivers the firearm to the licensed dealer
142 before completion of the sale or other transfer.
143 (e) A licensed dealer or a seller or other transferor may
144 not sell or otherwise transfer a firearm to a purchaser or other
145 transferee if the results of the background check indicate that
146 the purchaser or other transferee is prohibited from possessing
147 or receiving a firearm under federal or state law.
148 (f) A licensed dealer who agrees to conduct a background
149 check pursuant to this section may charge a reasonable fee not
150 to exceed the administrative costs incurred by the licensed
151 dealer for conducting the sale or other transfer of the firearm,
152 plus applicable fees pursuant to federal and state law.
153 (4) Subsections (2) and (3) do not apply to the following:
154 (a) A law enforcement officer or a correctional officer, as
155 those terms are defined in s. 943.10(1) and (2), respectively,
156 vested with the authority to bear arms who is acting within the
157 course and scope of his or her employment or official duties.
158 (b) A United States Marshals Service officer, United States
159 Armed Forces or National Guard member, or federal official
160 vested with the authority to bear arms who is acting within the
161 course and scope of his or her employment or official duties.
162 (c) A gunsmith who receives a firearm solely for the
163 purposes of service or repair and who returns the firearm to its
164 lawful owner.
165 (d) A common carrier, warehouseman, or other person engaged
166 in the business of transportation or storage, to the extent that
167 the receipt of any firearm is in the ordinary course of business
168 and not for the personal use of such person.
169 (e) A person who is not prohibited from possessing or
170 receiving a firearm under state or federal law and who has
171 temporarily been transferred a firearm by its lawful owner:
172 1. Solely for the purpose of the person shooting at
173 targets, if the transfer occurs on the premises of a sport
174 shooting range authorized by the governing body of the
175 jurisdiction in which the range is located, or, if no such
176 authorization is required, operated consistently with local law
177 in such jurisdiction, and the firearm is at all times kept
178 within the premises of the sport shooting range;
179 2. While the person is accompanying the lawful owner of the
180 firearm and using the firearm for lawful hunting purposes, if
181 hunting is legal in all places where the person possesses the
182 firearm and the person holds all licenses and permits required
183 for such hunting;
184 3. While the person is participating in a lawfully
185 organized competition involving the use of a firearm; or
186 4. While the person is in the presence of the seller or
187 other transferor.
188 (f) A family member of the seller or other transferor. This
189 paragraph does not apply if the lawful owner or family member
190 knows or has reasonable cause to believe that federal or state
191 law prohibits the family member from purchasing or possessing a
192 firearm, or the seller or other transferor knows or has
193 reasonable cause to believe that the family member is likely to
194 use the firearm for unlawful purposes.
195 (g) An executor, administrator, trustee, or personal
196 representative of an estate or trust that occurs by operation of
197 law upon the death of the former lawful owner of the firearm.
198 (h) The temporary transfer of a firearm if such transfer is
199 to prevent immediate or imminent death or great bodily harm to
200 one’s self or others, provided that the person to whom the
201 firearm is transferred is not prohibited from possessing a
202 firearm under state or federal law and the temporary transfer
203 lasts no longer than is necessary to prevent the immediate or
204 imminent death or great bodily harm.
205 (i) The sale or other transfer of an antique firearm.
206 (5) A person who violates this section commits a felony of
207 the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s.
208 775.083, or s. 775.084.
209 (6) In addition to any other penalty or remedy, the
210 investigating law enforcement agency shall report any violation
211 of this section committed by a licensed dealer to the Attorney
212 General.
213 (7) This section does not apply to any firearm modified to
214 render it permanently inoperable.
215 Section 3. Section 790.174, Florida Statutes, is amended to
216 read:
217 790.174 Safe storage of firearms required.—
218 (1)(a) A person who stores or leaves, on a premise under
219 his or her control, a loaded firearm, as defined in s. 790.001,
220 and who knows or reasonably should know that a minor is likely
221 to gain access to the firearm without the lawful permission of
222 the minor’s parent or the person having charge of the minor, or
223 without the supervision required by law, shall keep the firearm
224 in a securely locked box or container or in a location which a
225 reasonable person would believe to be secure or shall secure it
226 with a trigger lock, except when the person is carrying the
227 firearm on his or her body or within such close proximity
228 thereto that he or she can retrieve and use the firearm it as
229 easily and quickly as if he or she carried it on his or her
230 body.
231 (b) A person who stores or leaves, on a premise under his
232 or her control, a firearm, as defined in s. 790.001, and who
233 knows or reasonably should know that a prohibited user is likely
234 to gain access to the firearm, shall keep the firearm in a
235 securely locked box or container or shall secure it with a
236 trigger lock, except when the person is carrying the firearm on
237 his or her body or within such close proximity thereto that he
238 or she can retrieve and use the firearm as easily and quickly as
239 if he or she carried it on his or her body.
240 (2) Except as provided in paragraphs (a) and (b), It is a
241 misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.
242 775.082 or s. 775.083, if a person who violates subsection (1)
243 commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as
244 provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
245 (a) If, as a result of the violation of subsection (1), by
246 failing to store or leave a firearm in the required manner and
247 as a result thereof a minor gains access to the firearm, without
248 the lawful permission of the minor’s parent or the person having
249 charge of the minor, or a prohibited user gains access to the
250 firearm, and such minor or prohibited user possesses or exhibits
251 it, without the supervision required by law:
252 1.(a) In a public place; or
253 2.(b) In a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner in
254 violation of s. 790.10,
255
256 The person who violates subsection (1) commits a misdemeanor of
257 the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s.
258 775.083.
259 (b) This subsection does not apply under any of the
260 following circumstances if the prohibited user or the minor
261 obtains the firearm:
262 1. If the minor obtains the firearm As a result of an
263 unlawful entry by any person.
264 2. While lawfully acting in self-defense or defense of
265 another.
266 3. With the permission of the minor’s parent or guardian
267 and the minor uses or possesses the firearm during the minor’s
268 employment; ranching or farming; or target practice, hunting, or
269 instruction in the safe use of a firearm.
270 (3) As used in this section act, the term:
271 (a) “Locked box or container” means a secure container that
272 is fully enclosed and locked by a padlock, key lock, combination
273 lock, or similar locking device.
274 (b) “Locking device” means a trigger lock, cable lock, or
275 similar lock that prevents a firearm from discharging when the
276 locking device is properly engaged so as to render such weapon
277 inoperable by any person other than the owner or other lawfully
278 authorized user.
279 (c) “Minor” means any person under the age of 18 16.
280 (d) “Prohibited user” means any person prohibited by state
281 or federal law from possessing the firearm.
282 Section 4. Section 790.175, Florida Statutes, is amended to
283 read:
284 790.175 Transfer or sale of firearms; required warnings;
285 penalties.—
286 (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a licensed dealer
287 may not sell a firearm in this state unless the sale includes
288 one of the following:
289 (a) A commercially available trigger lock or other device
290 designed to disable the firearm and prevent the discharge of the
291 firearm.
292 (b) A commercially available gun case or storage container
293 that can be secured to prevent unauthorized access to the
294 firearm.
295 (2)(1) Upon the retail commercial sale or retail transfer
296 of any firearm, the licensed dealer seller or transferor shall
297 deliver all of the following:
298 (a) A written warning to the purchaser or transferee, which
299 warning states, in block letters not less than 1/4 inch in
300 height:
301
302 “IT IS UNLAWFUL, AND PUNISHABLE BY IMPRISONMENT AND FINE, FOR
303 ANY ADULT TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN THE
304 REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE OR TO
305 KNOWINGLY SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION OF
306 A FIREARM TO A MINOR OR A PERSON OF UNSOUND MIND. YOU MAY BE
307 CRIMINALLY AND CIVILLY LIABLE FOR ANY HARM CAUSED BY A MINOR OR
308 PERSON OF UNSOUND MIND WHO LAWFULLY GAINS UNSUPERVISED ACCESS TO
309 YOUR FIREARM IF THE FIREARM IS UNLAWFULLY STORED.”
310 (b) A brochure or pamphlet that includes safety information
311 on the use and storage of the firearm in a home environment.
312 (c) A written warning informing the purchaser of the
313 penalties for failing to store or leave a firearm in the manner
314 required under s. 790.174.
315 (3)(2) Any licensed dealer retail or wholesale store, shop,
316 or sales outlet which sells firearms must conspicuously post at
317 each purchase counter the following warning in block letters not
318 less than 1 inch in height:
319
320 “IT IS UNLAWFUL TO STORE OR LEAVE A FIREARM IN ANY PLACE WITHIN
321 THE REACH OR EASY ACCESS OF A MINOR UNDER 18 YEARS OF AGE OR TO
322 KNOWINGLY SELL OR OTHERWISE TRANSFER OWNERSHIP OR POSSESSION OF
323 A FIREARM TO A MINOR OR A PERSON OF UNSOUND MIND.”
324 (4) This section does not apply to any of the following:
325 (a) The sale of a firearm to a law enforcement officer as
326 defined in s. 943.10(1) or an employing agency as defined in s.
327 943.10(4).
328 (b) The sale of a firearm to a person who presents to the
329 licensed dealer one of the following:
330 1. A trigger lock or other device designed to disable the
331 firearm and prevent the discharge of the firearm, together with
332 a copy of the purchase receipt for the licensed dealer to keep.
333 A separate trigger lock or device and a separate purchase
334 receipt are required for each firearm purchased.
335 2. A gun case or storage container that can be secured to
336 prevent unauthorized access to the firearm, together with a copy
337 of the purchase receipt for the licensed dealer to keep. A
338 separate gun case or storage container and a separate purchase
339 receipt are required for each firearm purchased.
340 (c) The sale of an antique firearm.
341 (5) Upon the sale of a firearm, the licensed dealer and the
342 purchaser shall both sign a statement that the sale is in
343 compliance with subsections (1), (2), and (4). The dealer shall
344 retain a copy of the signed statements and, if applicable, a
345 copy of the receipt prescribed in paragraph (4)(b) for at least
346 6 years.
347 (6)(a) This section does not create a civil action or
348 liability for damages arising from the use or misuse of a
349 firearm or ammunition for a person, other than a licensed
350 dealer, who produces a firearm or ammunition.
351 (b) A licensed dealer is not liable for damages arising
352 from the use or misuse of a firearm if the sale complies with
353 this section, any other applicable law of this state, and
354 applicable federal law.
355 (7)(3) Any person or business knowingly violating a
356 requirement to provide warning under this section commits:
357 (a) For a first violation, a misdemeanor of the second
358 degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
359 (b) For a second violation, a misdemeanor of the first
360 degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
361 (c) For a third or subsequent violation, a felony of the
362 third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083,
363 or s. 775.084.
364 (8) As used in this section, the term “licensed dealer”
365 means a person who holds a license as a dealer in firearms
366 issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. s. 923(a).
367 Section 5. Section 790.223, Florida Statutes, is created to
368 read:
369 790.223 Unfinished firearms.—
370 (1) As used in this section, the term:
371 (a) “Federal licensee authorized to serialize firearms”
372 means a person, firm, corporation, or other entity that holds a
373 valid federal license authorizing the person, firm, corporation,
374 or other entity to imprint serial numbers onto firearms and
375 completed or unfinished frames or receivers pursuant to chapter
376 44 of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. ss. 921 et
377 seq., and regulations issued pursuant thereto.
378 (b) “Federally licensed gunsmith, manufacturer, or
379 importer” means a person, firm, corporation, or other entity
380 that holds a valid gunsmith license or a license to manufacture
381 or import firearms issued pursuant to chapter 44 of Title 18 of
382 the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. ss. 921 et seq., and
383 regulations issued pursuant thereto.
384 (c) “Firearms importer or manufacturer” means a person
385 licensed to import or manufacture firearms pursuant to chapter
386 44 of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. ss. 921 et
387 seq., and regulations issued pursuant thereto.
388 (d) “Frame” has the meaning attributed to it in chapter 44
389 of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. ss. 921 et
390 seq., and regulations issued pursuant thereto.
391 (e) “Law enforcement agency” has the same meaning as in s.
392 23.1225(1)(d).
393 (f) “License to manufacture firearms” means a valid license
394 to manufacture firearms issued pursuant to chapter 44 of Title
395 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. ss. 921 et seq., and
396 regulations issued pursuant thereto.
397 (g) “Manufacture or assemble” means to fabricate,
398 construct, make, or fit together component parts of, or
399 otherwise produce, a firearm or completed or unfinished frame or
400 receiver, including through additive, subtractive, or other
401 processes to form, produce, or construct by manual labor or
402 machinery.
403 (h) “Receiver” has the same meaning attributed to it in
404 chapter 44 of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18 U.S.C. ss.
405 921 et seq., and regulations issued pursuant thereto.
406 (i) “Security exemplar” has the same meaning attributed to
407 it in chapter 44 of Title 18 of the United States Code, 18
408 U.S.C. ss. 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 any 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 same meaning attributed to it in 18 U.S.C. s. 922.
423 (k) “Unfinished frame or receiver” has the same meaning as
424 in s. 790.0653.
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; and
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 an 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 a 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. There is a presumption that a
461 three-dimensional printer or CNC milling machine has the primary
462 or intended function of manufacturing or assembling firearms or
463 completed or unfinished frames or receivers if the printer or
464 machine is marketed or sold in a manner that advertises that it
465 may be used to manufacture or assemble firearms or completed or
466 unfinished frames or receivers, or is marketed or sold in a
467 manner that foreseeably promotes the printer’s or machine’s use
468 in manufacturing or assembling such weapons, regardless of
469 whether the printer or machine is otherwise described or
470 classified as having other functions or as a general-purpose
471 printer or machine.
472 (8) Except by operation of law, it is unlawful for a person
473 who does not have a valid license to manufacture or assemble
474 firearms to sell or transfer ownership of a firearm if:
475 (a) The person manufactured or assembled the firearm
476 without a valid license to manufacture firearms;
477 (b) The person knowingly caused the firearm to be
478 manufactured or assembled by another person who does not have a
479 valid license to manufacture firearms; or
480 (c) The person is aware that the firearm was manufactured
481 or assembled by another person who does not have a valid license
482 to manufacture firearms.
483 (9) A person who violates this section commits:
484 (a) For the first offense, a misdemeanor of the first
485 degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
486 (b) For a second or subsequent offense, a felony of the
487 third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083,
488 or s. 775.084.
489 (10) This section does not apply to any of the following:
490 (a) A firearm or any completed or unfinished frame or
491 receiver that is an antique firearm, as defined in 27 C.F.R. s.
492 479.11, or that has been rendered permanently inoperable.
493 (b) The sale, offer for sale, or transfer of ownership of a
494 firearm or any completed or unfinished frame or receiver to a
495 law enforcement agency.
496 (c) The manufacture, assembly, importation, purchase,
497 transfer, or possession of a firearm or any completed or
498 unfinished frame or receiver by a law enforcement agency for law
499 enforcement purposes.
500 (d) The sale or transfer of ownership of a firearm or any
501 completed or unfinished frame or receiver to a federally
502 licensed gunsmith, manufacturer, or importer, or to any other
503 federal licensee authorized to serialize firearms.
504 (e) The manufacture or assembly, importation, purchase, or
505 possession of a firearm or any completed or unfinished frame or
506 receiver by a federally licensed gunsmith, manufacturer, or
507 importer, or by any other federal licensee authorized to
508 serialize firearms.
509 (f) A member of the United States Armed Forces or the
510 National Guard while on duty and acting within the scope and
511 course of employment, or any employee of a law enforcement
512 agency or forensic laboratory.
513 (g) A common carrier, motor carrier, air carrier, or
514 carrier affiliated with an air carrier through common
515 controlling interest which is subject to Title 49 of the United
516 States Code, or an authorized agent of any such carrier, when
517 acting in the course and scope of duties incident to the
518 receipt, processing, transportation, or delivery of property.
519 (h) An authorized representative of a local, state, or
520 federal government who receives a firearm or any completed or
521 unfinished frame or receiver as part of an authorized, voluntary
522 buyback program in which the governmental entity is buying or
523 receiving weapons from private individuals.
524 (i) The possession and disposition of a firearm or any
525 completed or unfinished frame or receiver by a person who meets
526 all of the following criteria:
527 1. The person is not prohibited by state or federal law
528 from possessing the weapon.
529 2. The person possessed the firearm or any completed or
530 unfinished frame or receiver no longer than was necessary to
531 deliver it to a law enforcement agency for that agency’s
532 disposition according to law.
533 3. If the person is transporting the firearm or any
534 completed or unfinished frame or receiver, the person is
535 transporting it to a law enforcement agency in order to deliver
536 it to the agency for that agency’s disposition according to law.
537 (j) The possession or importation of a firearm or any
538 completed or unfinished frame or receiver by a nonresident of
539 this state who:
540 1. Is traveling with the firearm or completed or unfinished
541 frame or receiver in this state in accordance with 18 U.S.C. s.
542 926A; or
543 2. Possesses or imports the firearm or completed or
544 unfinished frame or receiver in this state exclusively for use
545 in an organized sport shooting event or competition, and for no
546 longer than is reasonably necessary to participate in such an
547 event or competition.
548 (k) The possession or importation of a firearm or any
549 completed or unfinished frame or receiver by a new resident
550 moving into this state who, within 90 days after moving into
551 this state, causes the firearm or completed or unfinished frame
552 or receiver to be imprinted with a valid serial number, removes
553 the weapon from this state, or otherwise complies with this
554 section.
555 Section 6. This act does not prohibit the sale of an
556 unfinished frame or receiver or firearm that is not imprinted
557 with a serial number to a firearms importer or manufacturer or a
558 licensed dealer before January 1, 2026. As used in this section,
559 the term “licensed dealer” means a person who holds a license as
560 a dealer in firearms issued pursuant to 18 U.S.C. s. 923(a).
561 Section 7. This act shall take effect October 1, 2025.