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Committee advances narrow safe-storage bill after hours of testimony from families, prosecutors and gun groups
Summary
HB80 would create criminal liability when an adult leaves a loaded, unsecured firearm accessible to a minor who then takes and unlawfully uses it; backers described public-health and youth-violence goals, opponents warned the bill flips burden to owners or duplicates existing negligence laws. Committee voted to send HB80 to the floor, 9–2.
The House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee on March 4 advanced HB80, a bill that would make certain instances of unsafe gun storage a criminal offense when a minor obtains a loaded firearm and unlawfully uses it.
Sponsor Representative Stoddard said the bill is modeled on existing Florida law and is narrowly targeted: four elements must be met for criminal charges — an adult stored a loaded firearm without required security; the adult knew or should have known a minor under 16 could access it; the minor obtained the firearm and violated the statute for possession by a minor; and the minor…
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