CS/HB 779 Summary

• Reduces penalties for licensed concealed carry permit holders who violate open carry laws to noncriminal violations: $25 for first violation and $500 for second violation, both payable to the clerk of court.

• Creates an exception allowing licensed concealed firearm carriers to temporarily and openly display their firearm without violating open carry statutes, provided the display is not intentional, angry, threatening, or outside of necessary self-defense.

• Eliminates criminal penalties for licensed permit holders on first and second open carry violations, with third or subsequent violations remaining a second-degree misdemeanor.

• Updates related statutes (s. 943.051 and s. 985.11) regarding fingerprinting of minors to incorporate changes to open carry offense definitions.

• Takes effect July 1, 2017.