Florida HB 1551: Products Liability for Firearms

Bill Text

CS/HB 1551 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1551-01-c1
Page 1 of 3
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to products liability for firearms; 2
creating s. 768.1258, F.S.; providing definitions; 3
providing that a firearm manufacturer is not liable 4
for certain torts based on the absence or presence of 5
certain features, mechanisms, or standards not 6
required under federal law; providing construction and 7
application; providing a directive to the Division of 8
Law Revision; providing an effective date. 9
10
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 11
12
Section 1. Section 768.1258, Florida Statutes, is created 13
to read: 14
768.1258 Limitation of actions against firearm 15
manufacturers.— 16
(1) As used in this section, the term: 17
(a) "Authorized user recognition technology" means a 18
mechanism, device, or technology applied to a firearm which 19
prevents a user not authorized by the firearm owner from firing 20
the firearm. 21
(b) "External manual safety" means a manually operated 22
mechanism that, when engaged, blocks the firearm trigger from 23
functioning. 24
(c) "Firearm" has the same meaning as in s. 790.001. 25

CS/HB 1551 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1551-01-c1
Page 2 of 3
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

(d) "Loaded chamber indicator" means a mechanism or 26
feature intended to indicate to the user that a cartridge is in 27
the firing chamber of a firearm. 28
(e) "Magazine disconnect mechanism" means a mechanism that 29
prevents a semiautomatic firearm from firing when the detachable 30
magazine is not fully inserted in the firearm. 31
(2) In a products liability action involving a firearm, a 32
firearm manufacturer is not liable under a theory of defective 33
product design, failure to warn, negligence, strict liability, 34
or other claims based on the absence or presence of any design 35
feature, functionality, safety mechanism, or performance 36
standard that is not required by federal law as a condition for 37
the lawful manufacture, sale, import, or receipt of the firearm, 38
including, but not limited to: 39
(a) A magazine disconnect mechanism; 40
(b) A loaded chamber indicator; 41
(c) Authorized user recognition technology; or 42
(d) An external manual safety, including, but not limited 43
to, a hinged, pivoting, or tabbed trigger safety. 44
(3) This section does not limit liability for a firearm 45
manufacturer in cases in which the claimant establishes that the 46
firearm contained an actual manufacturing or design defect or 47
failed to operate in a manner consistent with the manufacturer's 48
express warranties or representations. 49
(4) This section shall apply to causes of action filed 50

CS/HB 1551 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb1551-01-c1
Page 3 of 3
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

after the effective date of this act. 51
Section 2. The Division of Law Revision is directed to 52
replace the phrase "the effective date of this act" wherever it 53
occurs in this act with the date this act becomes a law. 54
Section 3. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law. 55