Collins bill requiring law enforcement return firearms following arrest passes Senate

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Senate passed legislation requiring law enforcement to return any seized firearms to its owner that were seized during an arrest, so long as certain requirements are met.

The bill, SB 1286, by Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, requires law enforcement return any weapons, electric weapons or devices, or arms taken from a person during an arrest, so long as the weapon is not needed for evidence or seized and subject to forfeiture.

The weapon must be returned to the individual upon 30 days of law enforcement receiving request.

The individual also must have met the qualifications of being released from detention, provide a government-issued photographic identification and a completed criminal history background check.

Sen. Jason Pizzo, D-Hollywood, expressed some concerns he had with the bill, although he believed it was much better than how it had been structured previously.

“Senator Collins, I wanted to thank you again,” he said. “This is a lot better than it was and I’m comfortable with it.”

The bill was amended before its approval in the Senate. The original form allowed law enforcement 45 days to return the weapon upon request.

Reps. Robbie Brackett, R-Vero Beach, and Webster Barnaby, R-Deltona, filed the House companion bill, HB 485, which currently awaits chamber approval, following its completion of all scheduled committee stops.