The Florida Legislature is famous for drafting disasters – especially when it comes to anything doing with guns, weapons, or self defense. The latest ridiculous foray into stupidity is requiring that guns or even ammo (a single cartridge would qualify under the bills) be kept in the trunk or a locked container if nobody’s inside the vehicle or boat. [HB 1087 or HB 419]
“A person who stores or leaves, in a motor vehicle or vessel under his or her control, a firearm, whether loaded or unloaded, or firearm ammunition, while the person is not in the motor vehicle or vessel, shall keep the firearm from ordinary observation locked within the trunk, a utility or glove box, or a locked container securely affixed to the motor vehicle or vessel.”
So — for example. The car is parked in your closed garage with a gun not locked in some kind of lock box or trunk: Misdemeanor. Same for one round of ammo! Same if you’re standing next to the vehicle. I mean – ammo??? Really??? How about in your driveway with you standing outside the vehicle — misdemeanor! I can think of other examples. For the heck of it, I put together an “alternative” to these bills which would accomplish the same goal, but in a much better format. It appears in the next box, below.
I will WARN everyone that the real danger with any bill requiring a “lock up” of guns is the fact of possible CIVIL LIABILITY if the thief uses the gun in a crime, and hurts someone or something. A clever lawyer could probably sue you for the damages. That could be millions!!! (perhaps a very devious plan by the sponsors of the current bills???)
We are regulating ourselves into not being able to do anything without breaking some law!!! Tell your legislators to get a life – and leave gun regulations the hell off the table!!!!!! And yes — if they really wanted to do this there were a lot better ways to word it, and also not make it so damn ridiculous! (but, how about a mandatory jail sentence for juveniles and others who steal guns from cars?)
Here’s my suggested “fix”, or alternative to the overly expansive language, and pitfalls in the current bills:
“In any unattended conveyance all firearms shall be kept out of ordinary sight from the exterior, and where it is reasonable to anticipate that the interior of an unattended conveyance may be accessed by one or more unauthorized persons access to the interior shall be kept locked. If a firearm is stolen from such a conveyance during the time either or both of these conditions is violated, the person last in control of the conveyance at the time of the theft shall be guilty of a second degree misdemeanor, however, there shall be no civil liability for the criminal actions of another as a result of a violation of this law.
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