GUN-RELATED BILLS

Florida lawmakers have taken action — or not — on several gun bills during the current session.

HB 39: Reduces the current penalty if a concealedweapon permit holder inadvertently displays a firearm. The bill passed favorably out of committee and is awaiting a second reading in the full House. Its Senate companion (SB 148) appears to have stalled in committee.

HB 219: Prohibits the sale or transfer of assault weapons and large capacity ammunition magazines and requires a license to possess such weapons and ammunition. Stalled in committee. Its Senate companion, SB 196, hasn’t been scheduled for its first committee hearing, and Tuesday is the last day for committee meetings. A similar bill failed last year.

HB 1419: Enables churches, synagogues and other religious institutions to allow a person licensed to carry a concealed firearm on property. The bill passed favorably out of committee and is awaiting a second reading in the full House. Its companion bill in the Senate, SB 1048, has passed and is awaiting a final reading.

SB 740: Tucked into this omnibus agriculture appropriations bill is a provision that requires the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services to grant a concealed-carry permit within 90 days of filing an application — even if the department has not completed the applicant’s background check. A vote on the bill scheduled for Thursday — the day after the Parkland high school shooting — was canceled.

The reschedule of the hearing — and whether the above language would remain in the bill — would be determined by the bill sponsor and committee chair, Senate President Joe Negron said.