HB 563

STORING A HANDGUN IN A MOTOR VEHICLE This bill makes it an offense for a person to store a handgun, whether loaded or unloaded, in a motor vehicle while the person is not in the motor vehicle unless the handgun is kept from ordinary observation and locked within the trunk, utility or glove box, or a locked container securely affixed to the motor vehicle. Under this bill, a violation is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by the completion of a court-approved handgun safety course. A court must not impose a fine or incarceration as punishment for a violation. STORING A FIREARM OR AMMUNITION IN A MOTOR VEHICLE Present law authorizes a person who has a valid enhanced handgun carry permit or concealed handgun carry p ermit , or who lawfully carries a handgun pursuant to law, to transport and store a firearm or firearm ammunition in the person's motor vehicle while on or utilizing any public or private parking area if (i) t he person's motor vehicle is parked in a locatio n where the motor vehicle is permitted to be and (ii) t he firearm or ammunition being transported or stored in the motor vehicle is kept from ordinary observation if the person is in the motor vehicle, or is kept from ordinary observation and locked within the trunk, glove box, or interior of the person's motor vehicle or a container securely affixed to the motor vehicle if the person is not in the motor vehicle . This bill revises (ii) above to, instead, provide the following:  A mmunition being transported or stored in the motor vehicle must be kept from ordinary observation and locked within the trunk, glove box, or interior of the person's motor vehicle or a container securely affixed to the motor vehicle if the person is not in the motor vehicle .  A firearm being transported or stored in the motor vehicle , other than a handgun , must be kept from ordinary observation and locked within the trunk, glove box, or interior of the person's motor vehicle or a container securely affixed to the motor vehicle if the person is not in the motor vehicle .  A handgun being transported or stored in the motor vehicle must be stored in accordance with this bill if the person is not in the vehicle. REPORTING LOSS OR THEFT OF A HANDGUN This bill requires a person who owns a handgun to report the loss or theft of the handgun to a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the location where the handgun was lost or stolen within 24 hours of the discovery of the loss or theft. A violation of this provision is a Class C misdemeanor, punishable by the completion of a court-approved handgun safety course. A court must not impose a fine or incarceration as punishment for a violation.