Clearwater, FL — What Does Florida HB 1551 Mean for Gun Product Liability Lawsuits?

Clearwater, FL (February 10th, 2026) – Florida lawmakers are advancing legislation that could fundamentally reshape how gun manufacturers defend themselves against product liability claims in the state. 

House Bill 1551, which recently passed the Florida House, would prevent firearms makers from liability when their products lack specific safety features, provided those features aren’t required by federal law. For Clearwater residents and others throughout Florida who have suffered injuries involving firearms, this proposed law raises critical questions about accountability, consumer protection, and the future of product liability litigation in the Sunshine State.

If you or a loved one has been injured by a defective product in Clearwater or anywhere in Florida, contact Light & Wyatt Law Group at 727-499-9900 for a consultation. Our experienced product liability attorneys can evaluate your case and help you understand your legal options.

Understanding Florida HB 1551’s Core Provisions

House Bill 1551 creates a legal safe harbor for gun manufacturers by establishing that firearms cannot be considered defective solely because they lack safety features not mandated by federal regulations. The bill specifically addresses situations where plaintiffs argue that a gun should have included additional safety mechanisms, such as biometric locks, loaded chamber indicators, or magazine disconnect devices, that aren’t currently required under federal law.

According to the proposed legislation, gun makers would be shielded from liability claims premised on the absence of these features. Supporters argue this prevents what they view as attempts to impose product standards through litigation rather than legislation. Critics counter that the bill removes important consumer protections and limits accountability when preventable injuries occur.

The measure passed the Florida House and now awaits consideration in the Senate, where its prospects remain uncertain as the legislative session progresses.

How Product Liability Law Currently Works in Florida

Product liability law in Florida holds manufacturers, distributors, and sellers responsible when defective products cause injury, illness, or death. These cases typically fall into three categories: design defects, manufacturing defects, and failure to warn.

Design defect claims, the type most directly impacted by HB 1551, argue that a product’s fundamental design makes it unreasonably dangerous, even when manufactured exactly as intended. In traditional product liability cases, plaintiffs can demonstrate a design defect by showing that a safer alternative design existed and would have prevented the injury without significantly compromising the product’s utility.

Florida courts have historically evaluated these claims using a risk-utility analysis, weighing factors including the product’s usefulness, the likelihood and severity of potential harm, the availability of safer alternatives, and the feasibility of an improved design. This framework allows juries to consider whether reasonable safety features should have been incorporated, precisely the type of inquiry HB 1551 would restrict for firearms.

The bill represents a significant departure from general product liability principles by carving out special protections for one industry. While federal law already provides some liability shields for gun manufacturers through the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), that law includes exceptions for defective products. HB 1551 would narrow what constitutes a “defect” under Florida law.

Real-World Impact: When Safety Features Matter

The absence of certain safety features can contribute to devastating injuries and losses. Accidental discharges have caused serious injuries and deaths in situations where additional safety mechanisms might have prevented tragedy, such as children accessing unsecured firearms, unintentional discharges during cleaning or handling, and shootings resulting from stolen weapons used by unauthorized individuals.

Product liability lawsuits in these circumstances often examine whether reasonable safety technology existed that could have prevented the injury. For example, personalized smart gun technology that prevents unauthorized users from firing a weapon or loaded chamber indicators that clearly show when a round is present represent safety innovations that some manufacturers have declined to incorporate.

When injuries occur, families face medical bills, lost income, permanent disabilities, and the emotional trauma of sudden loss. Product liability claims provide a legal avenue for accountability and compensation, but only when courts recognize that manufacturers have a duty to incorporate reasonable safety features.

HB 1551 would limit this accountability by tying the definition of “defective” to federal mandates rather than engineering feasibility or risk reduction. In Clearwater and throughout Florida’s Gulf Coast communities, where gun ownership rates are substantial, this change could affect numerous families dealing with firearm-related injuries.

What This Means for Injury Victims in Clearwater

For Clearwater residents injured by firearms, HB 1551, if enacted, would make certain product liability claims more difficult to pursue. Cases alleging that a gun should have included safety features beyond federal requirements would face a new statutory barrier.

However, the bill would not eliminate all firearm product liability claims. Manufacturing defects, where a gun malfunctions due to poor construction or materials, would remain actionable. Similarly, failure-to-warn claims regarding proper use and known dangers would continue under existing law. The bill specifically targets design defect claims based on missing safety features.

Injured parties would need to carefully evaluate the specific circumstances of their case. Was the injury caused by a gun that malfunctioned contrary to its design specifications? Did the manufacturer fail to provide adequate warnings about known risks? Or does the claim rest on the absence of available safety technology not required by federal law?

These distinctions matter enormously. The legal pathway available to an injured person depends on precisely how and why the firearm caused harm.

The Broader Product Liability Landscape

Florida’s product liability framework generally holds manufacturers to high standards of safety and accountability. From defective medical devices to dangerous pharmaceuticals, from faulty automobile components to hazardous consumer products, the law recognizes that companies profiting from product sales bear responsibility when inadequate design or manufacturing causes harm.

HB 1551 would create an exception to this framework specifically for firearms. Whether this exception represents sound policy or undermines consumer protection remains hotly debated as the bill moves through the legislative process.

The measure reflects broader national tensions between gun rights advocacy and product safety regulation. Federal law already limits certain firearms litigation, but states retain authority over product liability standards within their borders. Florida’s decision on HB 1551 will signal how the state balances these competing interests.

Legal Options Remain for Injured Floridians

Even if HB 1551 becomes law, Florida residents injured by firearms retain legal options. Product liability claims based on manufacturing defects and warning failures would continue. Additionally, claims against parties other than manufacturers, such as negligent retailers or individuals who failed to properly secure weapons, remain available under different legal theories.

Personal injury law encompasses numerous pathways to compensation beyond product liability. Depending on the circumstances, claims might involve premises liability, negligence, or other legal frameworks. An experienced attorney can identify which approaches apply to a specific situation.

The complexity of these cases underscores the importance of skilled legal representation. Product liability litigation requires technical expertise, knowledge of evolving statutory law, and the resources to challenge well-funded corporate defendants. For those facing life-altering injuries, illness, or the loss of a loved one, having knowledgeable advocates makes a critical difference.

At Light & Wyatt Law Group, our Clearwater product liability attorneys understand the challenges injury victims face and the legal strategies that produce results. Call us today at 727-499-9900 to discuss your case with a team dedicated to pursuing full compensation on your behalf.

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association