FL H0501

Amends Florida Statutes section 775.087 to establish mandatory minimum sentences for persons convicted of specified felonies who actually possessed or discharged a firearm or destructive device during the commission of the offense.

Sets mandatory minimum sentences of 10 years for possession of a firearm during qualifying felonies (murder, sexual battery, robbery, burglary, arson, aggravated assault, kidnapping, carjacking, home-invasion robbery, drug trafficking, and 14 other enumerated offenses), with 3-year minimums for aggravated assault, firearm possession by a felon, or burglary of a conveyance.

Establishes 20-year minimum sentences for discharging a firearm or destructive device during qualifying felonies, and 25-year to life sentences when discharge results in death or great bodily harm to another person.

Creates judicial discretion allowing courts to decline imposing the mandatory minimum if the defendant has no prior convictions for listed offenses, did not discharge a weapon that injured anyone, and circumstances do not warrant the mandatory minimum term; courts electing non-imposition must make written findings.

Takes effect July 1, 2013.