Bill > H0383

This bill modifies Florida statutes regarding firearm purchase, possession, and carrying rights for law enforcement and correctional personnel. Specifically, the bill expands the rights of correctional probation officers to carry concealed firearms during off-duty hours at the discretion of their superior officers and allows them to perform certain law enforcement functions under limited circumstances. The bill revises definitions of "qualified law enforcement officer" and "qualified retired law enforcement officer" to explicitly include correctional probation officers. It also specifies that a correctional probation officer's employing agency can limit off-duty firearm carrying, and requires superior officers in the Department of Corrections who want their officers to carry concealed firearms off-duty to file a statement with the department's governing body. Additionally, the bill modifies firearm purchase waiting period exceptions, expanding the definition of "holder of a concealed weapons or concealed firearms license" to include law enforcement officers, correctional officers, correctional probation officers, and servicemembers. These changes aim to provide more clarity and flexibility for law enforcement and correctional personnel regarding firearm possession and purchase. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.