Bill/Issue: FL SB 370 - Expansive "Assault Weapons" Ban 

Author: Sen. Gary M. Farmer Jr. (D-34)

Position: Strongly Opposed

Summary: Expansive ban on semiautomatic firearms, encompassing rifles, pistols & shotguns that meet the government's arbitrary criteria. 

Florida SB 370 is a far-reaching ban on semiautomatic firearms that encompasses rifles, pistols & shotguns in common use. It would additionally ban standard-capacity magazines (e.g. those that accept more than 10 rounds), and even treat firearm parts as "assault weapons" while broadly exempting law enforcement. 

SB 370 is so overbroad that it would even ban exceptionally-rare firearms like the FAMAS - which are traded by collectors for amounts in excess of $20,000 - the M1 Carbine (first introduced in 1942), and pump-action shotguns like the Kel-Tec KSG.

However, this bill doesn't even stop there because it would only permit grandfathering of so-called "assault weapons" if gun owners meet a three-pronged test:

  • Grandfathered before July 1, 2022
  • The person applies for a "certificate of possession"
  • And the person had possession prior to Oct. 21, 2021

Get in the fight to stop SB 370 today!

The certification process this bill seeks to require would also be incredibly invasive, requiring unique descriptions of the firearms, and imposing strict limits on where they can be possessed - such as in the home, at a gun range or exhibit, or on the way to such places.

But wait, there's more! In addition to these insane and baseless restrictions, SB 370 would:

  • Prohibit the sale or transfer of covered items after Jan. 1, 2022. The only way they can be transferred is by bequest or intestate succession (wills, trusts).
  • Set massive mandatory minimum sentences for violations of this gun control scheme. 
  • Prevent Floridians from trading lawfully-registered machineguns after the operative date, as the definition of “assault weapon” includes selective fire firearms.

There's just no way around it. SB 370 is one of the most unconstitutional, massive, cruel & capricious attacks on semiautomatic firearms ever introduced in any legislature. 

Let this sink in for a moment: If SB 370 passes, it would bring down even harsher firearms restrictions on Floridians than those imposed by the State of California!

Get in the fight to stop SB 370 today!

Want to know whether your firearm(s) would be banned under penalty of felony under SB 370? Read our helpful guide below. Otherwise, please skip to the end of this page and take IMMEDIATE action to prevent its passage. 

WOULD YOUR RIFLE BE AN "ASSAULT WEAPON" UNDER SB 370?

Is your rifle semiautomatic? Does it accept a detachable magazine? Does it also include any ONE of the following:

  • Folding or telescoping stock
  • Pistol grip, thumbhole stock, thordsen-type grip, or “any other characteristic that can function as a grip.” (Firearms without grips aren’t terribly useful.)
  • Bayonet mount
  • Flash suppressor or threaded barrel
  • Grenade launcher
  • Barrel shroud

If you answered "yes" to all three, then your rifle would put you at risk of felony under SB 370!

WOULD YOUR PISTOL BE AN "ASSAULT WEAPON" UNDER SB 370?

Is your pistol semiautomatic? Does it accept a detachable magazine? Does it also include any ONE of the following:

  • Can accept a magazine larger than 10 rounds anywhere outside the pistol grip
  • Threaded barrel
  • Barrel shroud
  • 50 ounces or more unloaded
  • “A semiautomatic version of an automatic firearm”
  • Any feature that can be used as a protruding grip by the non-trigger hand
  • Any type of stock

If you answered "yes" to all three, then your pistol would put you at risk of felony under SB 370!

WOULD YOUR SHOTGUN BE AN "ASSAULT WEAPON" UNDER SB 370?

Is your shotgun semiautomatic? Does it have any of the following?

  • Folding or telescoping stock
  • Pistol grip, thumbhole stock (referred to two times), thordsen grip, or “any other characteristic that can function as a grip” (same problem as with rifles).
  • Fixed magazine larger than 5 rounds
  • Can accept a detachable magazine

If you answered "yes" to both, then your shotgun would put you at risk of felony under SB 370! Yes, under SB 370, a shotgun is even easier to classify as a so-called "assault weapon" than a semiautomatic rifle!

Get in the fight to stop SB 370 today!

TAKE ACTION!

Florida SB 370 is one of the most far-reaching attacks on gun ownership ever introduced in the state legislature. Its restrictions in some cases even go farther than those seen in the heavily gun-controlled California. And unless you take IMMEDIATE action, you could be at risk of felony should this bill pass. Therefore, FPC is urging ALL Florida gun owners - and indeed all gun owners across the country - to use our Take Action form below. Contact Senator Farmer and demand that he WITHDRAW his outrageous and unconstitutional legislation!