HB 1621 revises Florida’s criminal code to address firearms equipped with bump stocks and similar rate-of-fire devices. The bill expands the statutory definition of “machine gun” in section 790.001 to include firearms modified by a conversion kit, tool, accessory, or device that alters the rate of fire to mimic automatic weapon fire or to fire faster than a person could unassisted by a single trigger pull. In practical terms, this would treat certain bump-fire stock configurations and comparable devices more like machine guns under Florida law.
The bill also amends the Criminal Punishment Code’s offense severity ranking chart to place violations related to bump-fire stocks at Level 5. Specifically, it adds “prohibited acts related to bump-fire stocks” to the list of offenses ranked at that level, which affects sentencing scores and potential punishment calculations for covered offenses. The act is set to take effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
HB 1621 would change Florida Statutes sections 790.001 and 921.0022 by broadening the legal definition of machine gun and by increasing the sentencing significance of bump-fire-stock-related offenses. This would affect firearm owners, sellers, and anyone possessing or modifying firearms with devices that increase firing rate, as well as prosecutors and courts applying the Criminal Punishment Code. The bill does not create a new standalone firearms offense in the text provided, but it strengthens the legal treatment of bump-stock-related conduct through both definitional and sentencing changes.
Sentiment
The available record shows no committee transcripts and no recorded votes, so there is no documented floor or committee debate to measure directly. Based on the bill’s subject matter and structure, the measure appears to reflect a public-safety and gun-regulation approach, with an emphasis on restricting devices that simulate automatic fire. Because there is no voting history or discussion excerpt, the overall sentiment can only be characterized as procedurally neutral in the record, with the bill’s purpose likely appealing to supporters of stricter firearms controls.
Contention
The main point of contention is likely the bill’s expansion of the term “machine gun” to cover not only firearms that fire automatically, but also firearms modified by devices that increase rate of fire or mimic automatic fire. Supporters would likely view this as a necessary response to bump stocks and similar accessories, while opponents could argue that the definition is broad and may sweep in accessories or modifications beyond traditional machine guns. Another likely issue is the sentencing enhancement effect of ranking bump-fire-stock offenses at Level 5, which increases criminal exposure for affected conduct. No specific stakeholder positions are documented in the provided materials.