Florida Gun Laws
Carry Information
Legal & Resources
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Florida have an Assault Weapons Ban? | 🚫 No. Florida has not enacted a state level assault weapons ban. |
| Are background checks required for private gun sales? | ✅ Yes. Dealer-mediated checks are required for private transfers involving a licensed dealer. |
| Are background checks required through FFL dealers? | ✅ Yes. Dealers must run FDLE/NICS checks prior to sale under both federal and state law. |
| Is Florida a Stand Your Ground state? | ✅ Yes. Florida has a “Stand Your Ground” law, allowing use of deadly force without duty to retreat. |
| What kind of restrictions does Florida have? |
|
| Does Florida have any gun storage laws? | ✅ Yes. Illegal to leave a firearm within reach of minors (F.S. §790.174). |
| Can you buy firearms in bulk in Florida ? | ✅ Yes. No state limits on the number of firearms one can purchase. |
| Does Florida have a red flag law? | ✅ Yes. Civil Risk Protection Orders since 2018 (law enforcement only). |
| Age to purchase firearms? |
|
| Do I have to register my guns in Florida ? | 🚫 No. Florida does not require firearm registration for private citizens. |
| Do I need a permit to purchase a handgun? | 🚫 No permit required—just background checks and waiting period. |
| Does Florida have a waiting period for firearms? | ✅ Yes. Three business days (excluding weekends/holidays), or until background check is complete. |
🚫 No. Florida has not enacted a state level assault weapons ban.
✅ Yes. Dealer-mediated checks are required for private transfers involving a licensed dealer.
✅ Yes. Dealers must run FDLE/NICS checks prior to sale under both federal and state law.
✅ Yes. Florida has a “Stand Your Ground” law, allowing use of deadly force without duty to retreat.
- ℹ️ Must be 21+ to purchase any firearm (2018 Parkland reforms)
- ℹ️ Three-day waiting period for firearm purchases (excluding weekends/holidays)
- ℹ️ No assault weapon or magazine bans at state level
✅ Yes. Illegal to leave a firearm within reach of minors (F.S. §790.174).
✅ Yes. No state limits on the number of firearms one can purchase.
✅ Yes. Civil Risk Protection Orders since 2018 (law enforcement only).
- ℹ️ 21+ for all firearms (handguns and long guns).
🚫 No. Florida does not require firearm registration for private citizens.
🚫 No permit required—just background checks and waiting period.
✅ Yes. Three business days (excluding weekends/holidays), or until background check is complete.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does Florida allow Open Carry? | 🚫 Prohibited except when actively engaged in hunting, fishing, camping, or at a range unlicensed open carry not allowed. |
| Does Florida allow Concealed Carry? | ✅ Legal for residents and non-residents with a valid Florida CWL; also permitless for those 21+ as of July 1, 2023 (HB 543). |
| Non‑Lethal Weapons? | ✅ Includes defense devices (pepper spray, stun guns, electronic weapons) under CWL protections. |
| Places allowed to carry? | ✅ Permitless and CWL carry allowed except in prohibited places like schools, polling places, secure facilities, etc. |
| Places not allowed to carry? | 🚫 CWL or permitless carry is blocked in certain zones including schools, government buildings, polling places, and others. |
| States honored? | ✅ Florida recognizes CWL permits from states within its reciprocity list. |
| States reciprocate? | ✅ Florida CWLs are honored in these 36 states:
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel. |
| Permit duration & renewal? | ℹ️ 1 year, 5 years, or a lifetime duration offered. |
| Can you conceal anything other than a handgun? | 🚫 No. Only handguns. |
| Permit Licensure? | ℹ️ Sheriff of their county of residence |
🚫 Prohibited except when actively engaged in hunting, fishing, camping, or at a range unlicensed open carry not allowed.
✅ Legal for residents and non-residents with a valid Florida CWL; also permitless for those 21+ as of July 1, 2023 (HB 543).
✅ Includes defense devices (pepper spray, stun guns, electronic weapons) under CWL protections.
✅ Permitless and CWL carry allowed except in prohibited places like schools, polling places, secure facilities, etc.
🚫 CWL or permitless carry is blocked in certain zones including schools, government buildings, polling places, and others.
✅ Florida recognizes CWL permits from states within its reciprocity list.
✅ Florida CWLs are honored in these 36 states:
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Georgia
- Idaho
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
⚠️ Some states have residency or permit-type conditions. Always verify before travel.
ℹ️ 1 year, 5 years, or a lifetime duration offered.
🚫 No. Only handguns.
ℹ️ Sheriff of their county of residence
| Resources | Links |
|---|---|
| State Gun Laws Overview | |
| Concealed / Permitless Carry | |
| Firearm Safety & Training | |
| Federal / Statutory Codes |
Florida Leadership
- Born: September 14, 1978 (Jacksonville, FL)
- Term Started: January 8, 2019
- Previous Role: U.S. Representative (2013–2018)
- Born: May 28, 1971 (Miami, FL)
- Term Started: Since January 3, 2011
- Committees:
- Foreign Relations
- Intelligence
- Appropriations
- Small Business and Entrepreneurship
- Born: December 1, 1952 (Bloomington, IL)
- Term Started: Since January 8, 2019
- Previous Role: Governor of Florida (2011–2019)
- Committees:
- Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
- Budget
- Commerce Science and Transportation
- Armed Services