Downloads
CS/CS/HB 383 — Purchase and Possession of Firearms by Law Enforcement Officers, Correctional Officers, Correctional Probation Officers, and Servicemembers
by Judiciary Committee; Criminal Justice Subcommittee; and Reps. Holcomb, Giallombardo, and others (CS/SB 490 by Criminal Justice Committee and Senator Collins)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Criminal Justice Committee (CJ)
The bill amends s. 790.052(1), F.S., to add correctional probation officers to the list of persons who, if they hold active certification from the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission (CJSTC), have the right to carry concealed firearms during off-duty hours at the discretion of their superior officers, and may perform their normal law enforcement functions, using their weapons in a manner which is reasonably expected of on-duty officers in similar situations.
Additionally, the bill provides that a person holding an active certification from the CJSTC as a correctional probation officer meets the definition of “qualified law enforcement officer,” and the definition of “qualified retired law enforcement officer.”
Section 790.052, F.S., does not limit the authority of the Department of Corrections (DOC) to establish policies limiting correctional probation officers from carrying concealed firearms during off-duty hours in their capacity as employees of the DOC.
If the superior officer of the DOC directs the officers under his or her supervision to carry concealed firearms while off duty, he or she must file a statement with the governing body containing instructions and requirements relating to the carrying of said firearms.
The bill exempts law enforcement officers, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and servicemembers from the mandatory 3 day waiting period between the purchase and delivery of a firearm by defining “holder of a concealed weapons or concealed firearms license,” to include a:
- Person who holds a valid license issued under s. 790.06., F.S.;
- Law enforcement officer, a correctional officer, or a correctional probation officer, as those terms are defined in s. 943.10, F.S.; and
- Servicemember as defined in s. 250.01, F.S.
If approved by the Governor, or allowed to become law without the Governor’s signature, these provisions take effect July 1, 2025.
Vote: Senate 33-3; House 111-0