Secure Firearm Storage in a Vehicle

The bill prohibits knowingly leaving a firearm handgun in an unattended vehicle unless the firearm is stored in a locked hard-sided container that is not left in plain view or that is in the locked trunk of the vehicle or a locked recreational vehicle. A person who is considered to have a disability who stores a firearm in a locked soft-sided container does not violate the requirement to store a firearm in a hard-sided container.

The bill prohibits knowingly leaving a firearm that is not handgun in an unattended vehicle unless the firearm is stored in a locked hard-sided or soft-sided container that is not left in plain view or that is in the locked trunk of the vehicle or a locked recreational vehicle. A firearm that is not a handgun that is stored in a soft-sided container must have a locking device installed on the firearm while the firearm is stored in the soft-sided container.

The bill includes exceptions from the storage requirement for storing antique firearms, storing a firearm that is a not a handgun in a vehicle being used for farm or ranch operations, a person who lives in a vehicle or in a recreational vehicle, peace officers and active members of the armed forces, and certain activities related to lawful hunting.

Unsafe storage of a firearm in a vehicle is a civil infraction, punishable by a maximum $500 fine.

(Note: Italicized words indicate new material added to the original summary; dashes through words indicate deletions from the original summary.)

(Note: This summary applies to the reengrossed version of this bill as introduced in the second house.)