Carrying a firearm for self-defense comes with a lot of responsibility. Knowing the laws where you carry is just one important task armed Americans must undertake. To help with that, we’ve provided a summary of basic concealed carry laws in Florida. Learn about the most important things to know when carrying in the Sunshine State.
Can You Carry a Gun in Florida
Open carry is not legal in Florida, except for a few limited exceptions such as when engaged in fishing, camping, lawful hunting or target practice at an indoor range. Concealed carry is legal with a Florida Concealed Weapons License (CWL) or a concealed carry permit from a state that Florida honors.
Florida Concealed Carry Permit
The Florida Concealed Weapons License (CWL) allows holders of the license to carry not only a handgun but also other weapons such as electronic weapons, tear gas guns, Billie clubs and knives. An applicant must be at least 21 years old or a member of the military or an honorably discharged veteran and have completed a firearms training course. CWLs are issued to residents and non-residents. It is $97 for the initial license, plus the cost of required training.
Learn How to Get a Florida Concealed Carry Permit
Open Carry Gun Laws in Florida
Open carry is not legal in Florida.
Gun Purchase and Handgun Registration Requirements
Permits are not required when buying a handgun, and there is no firearms registration in Florida. Florida does not restrict the capacity of magazines for firearms. No background check is required when buying a handgun from a private individual. A purchaser must be at least 21 years old to purchase a handgun.
There is a mandatory minimum waiting period for handgun purchases of three business days or as long as it takes to complete the required criminal background check — whichever occurs later. Several counties have enacted ordinances establishing waiting periods for some purchases from non-licensed sellers (often at gun shows), concealed weapons license (CWL) holders are exempt.
Less-Lethal Legal Self-Defense Weapons
You may also openly or concealed carry a stun gun or Taser for defensive purposes, as they are legal to purchase and possess without a permit. However, they are not allowed at school-sponsored events or on the property of any school, school bus or school bus stop without authorization.
Where Can One Carry Concealed?
Areas where permit holders can carry concealed are:
- Restaurants that serve alcohol in the restaurant area only, unless posted
- State/national parks
- State/national forests
- Wildlife Management Areas
- Roadside rest areas
- Places of worship, unless posted
Locations where concealed carry is prohibited even for permit holders include:
- Any elementary or secondary school facility or administration building
- Any college or university facility
- Any school, college or professional athletic event not related to firearms
- Any place of nuisance as defined in s. 823.05
- Any police, sheriff or highway patrol station, detention facility, prison or jail
- Any courthouse or courtroom
- Any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof, or any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality or special district
- Any hospital providing mental health services
- Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises
- Savannas State Reserve
- Inside the passenger terminal and sterile area of any airport
- Any polling place
- Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law or state law or regulation
Can You Carry a Gun in Your Car in Florida?
Yes, Florida is a constitutional carry state. There is a duty to inform a law enforcement officer that you’re carrying a concealed firearm only when specifically asked by law enforcement.
Ready to Learn More About Florida Gun Laws?
It is your responsibility as a gun owner to know and understand the laws regarding your concealed carry rights. The USCCA’s Concealed Carry Reciprocity Map & Gun Laws website has been designed to help inform and educate armed citizens like you. To learn more about Florida’s concealed carry permit application process, concealed carry restrictions and training requirements, visit Florida’s gun laws page now.
Additionally, continued firearms training is crucial to protecting your family. Find a gun range in Florida through our “Find a Shooting Range” resource — made possible by our partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation (NSSF) and WhereToShoot.org.
The information contained on this website is provided as a service to USCCA, Inc. Members and the concealed carry community and does not constitute legal advice. Although we attempt to address all areas of concealed carry laws in all states, we make no claims, representations, warranties, promises or guarantees as to the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information disclosed. Legal advice must always be tailored to the individual facts and circumstances of each individual case, and laws are constantly changing; as such, nothing contained on this website should be used as a substitute for the advice of a lawyer.
