Jonah Patel
Florida's Constitutional Carry law, which came into effect on July 1, 2023, allows authorized residents to carry a concealed firearm or other weapons without a concealed weapons license. This means that in Florida, permitless carry or constitutional carry is now legal, and residents no longer need permits, licensing, or training to carry a concealed weapon. However, there are still rules and restrictions in place, and the law does not apply to anyone who does not already qualify for a concealed carry permit, including those under the age of 21 and those with felony convictions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Is constitutional carry legal in Florida? | Yes, as of July 1, 2023 |
| Who is eligible for constitutional carry? | Authorized Florida residents who are 21 or older and not prevented by Florida law to possess firearms for any other reason. The age requirement doesn't apply to members of the Armed Forces or veterans. |
| What does the law allow? | Carrying a concealed firearm or other weapons without a concealed weapons license |
| What are the restrictions? | The law doesn't apply to anyone who doesn't qualify for a concealed carry permit, including those under 21 (unless they are in the Armed Forces), those found guilty of drug crimes or illegal drug users (including those with a medical marijuana card), and those with a physical infirmity that prevents the safe use of a weapon. |
| What are the places with restrictions on carrying weapons? | Any place of nuisance as defined in s. 823.05 (an open term that includes places that endanger the health of the community, become "manifestly injurious to the morals or manners" of the community, or "annoy the community"), any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special district. |
| What are the penalties for violations? | Violating certain provisions related to the purchase and delivery of handguns is considered a felony. Carrying a firearm in a location where it is not authorized is punishable as a second-degree misdemeanor. |
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What You'll Learn
- Concealed carry is legal for Florida residents with a CWL
- Non-residents may carry concealed weapons if they are 21 or older
- Permitless carry, or constitutional carry, allows carrying without permits or training
- The new law includes a lengthy list of places where open and concealed weapons are restricted
- The law doesn't apply to anyone under 21 or with felony convictions
Concealed carry is legal for Florida residents with a CWL
As of April 3, 2023, permitless concealed carry is legal in Florida for anyone 21 years or older who is not prohibited by law from carrying a firearm. However, concealed carry is also legal for Florida residents with a CWL (concealed weapons license) and for non-residents with a CCW permit from a state that Florida honors. The CWL allows holders to carry not just handguns but also other weapons such as electronic weapons, tear gas guns, billie clubs, and knives.
To obtain a CWL, applicants must be at least 21 years old and have completed a firearms training course or be a current member of the military or an honorably discharged veteran. Florida offers both resident and non-resident licenses, and CWLs are issued to both categories. Florida will only honor resident CCW licenses from states with which it has a reciprocity agreement.
There are certain restrictions on the purchase and delivery of handguns in Florida. There is a mandatory waiting period of three days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, between the purchase and delivery of any handgun. This restriction does not apply to the trade-in of another handgun.
It is important to note that even with a CWL, there are locations where an individual is not authorized to carry a firearm. Carrying a firearm in such locations is punishable as a second-degree misdemeanor.
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Non-residents may carry concealed weapons if they are 21 or older
As of April 2023, Florida is a
Non-residents of Florida who are 21 years old or older can carry concealed weapons in the state. To be eligible for a concealed firearms license, a person must not be prohibited by law from carrying a firearm. This includes not being subject to any risk protection orders that temporarily prohibit the possession of firearms, and not having been found guilty of any violent crimes constituting a misdemeanor within the last three years.
In addition, non-residents must demonstrate competence with a firearm, either by completing a law enforcement firearms safety or training course, or by presenting evidence of equivalent experience through participation in organized shooting competitions or military service. Florida law requires applicants to submit proof of competency completed within one year of their application.
Non-residents who are current members of the military or honorably discharged veterans are exempt from the training requirement. It is important to note that Florida will only honor resident CCW licenses from states with which it has a reciprocity agreement.
While Florida allows permit holders to carry concealed weapons such as stun guns, billy clubs, and knives, the laws only permit the conceal carry of handguns and pistols. Non-residents must also adhere to the restrictions on purchasing handguns, which include a mandatory three-day waiting period between the purchase and delivery of any handgun.
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Permitless carry, or constitutional carry, allows carrying without permits or training
On April 3, 2023, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 543 into law, making Florida the 26th US state to adopt constitutional carry. This law, which came into effect on July 1, 2023, allows authorised Florida residents to carry a concealed firearm or other weapons without a concealed weapons license. This is also known as permitless carry.
Permitless carry, or constitutional carry, allows individuals to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, license, or training. In the context of Florida's new law, this means that eligible Florida residents can carry a concealed firearm or other weapons, such as electronic weapons, tear gas guns, billie clubs, and knives, without obtaining a concealed weapons license.
Prior to the enactment of this law, Floridians were required to obtain a concealed weapons license (CWL) to carry a concealed weapon, with some exceptions. The new law removes the requirement for a CWL, making it easier for eligible individuals to carry a concealed weapon in the state.
However, it's important to note that there are still certain restrictions and requirements in place. For example, individuals must be at least 21 years old (with exceptions for military service members and veterans) and cannot be prohibited by law from possessing a firearm, such as in the case of a felony conviction or drug crimes. Additionally, there are specific locations where carrying a concealed weapon is restricted, including schools, government meetings, and places of nuisance as defined by Florida law.
While the new law removes the requirement for a permit or training to carry a concealed weapon, the importance of gun safety and responsible firearm ownership cannot be overstated. Law enforcement agencies and firearm instructors continue to emphasise the need for individuals to be educated about firearm safety and to follow all applicable laws and restrictions.
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The new law includes a lengthy list of places where open and concealed weapons are restricted
On April 3, 2023, Florida became the 26th US state to implement constitutional carry. The new law allows authorized Florida residents to carry a concealed firearm or other weapons without a concealed weapons license. However, it's important to note that the law doesn't apply to individuals who don't meet the eligibility requirements for a concealed carry permit. This includes individuals under 21, unless they are members of the Armed Forces or veterans. Additionally, Florida residents found guilty of drug crimes or illegal drug use, including those with medical marijuana cards, are disqualified.
Furthermore, individuals carrying a weapon must have a valid form of identification and be a legal resident of the US. Those who carry a firearm cannot have a physical infirmity that prevents the safe use of the weapon. Anyone convicted of a felony is barred from carrying a concealed firearm, and anyone ruled as delinquent for committing a felony under the age of 24 is also prohibited. While Florida no longer requires a training course and permit for concealed carry, the ECSO emphasizes the importance of gun safety education.
It's worth noting that Florida offers both resident and non-resident licenses, and non-residents may carry concealed weapons if they are 21 or older and not prevented by Florida law from possessing them. The age requirement doesn't apply to servicemembers or veterans. Additionally, Florida law requires proof of competency with a firearm, completed within one year of the application for a license.
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The law doesn't apply to anyone under 21 or with felony convictions
As of July 1, 2023, Florida became a constitutional carry state, allowing residents to carry a concealed firearm or weapon without a license. However, this law does not apply to anyone under 21 or with felony convictions.
The law sets the minimum age requirement at 21 years for a person to be eligible for a concealed firearms license. This age requirement does not apply to active-duty military personnel or honorably discharged veterans. In addition, anyone with a physical infirmity that prevents the safe use of a weapon is disqualified from carrying a concealed firearm.
The law also explicitly bars individuals with felony convictions from carrying concealed firearms. This restriction extends to those found guilty of drug crimes or illegal drug use, including those with a medical marijuana card. It is important to note that the law only applies to Florida residents and does not permit non-residents to carry concealed weapons in the state.
While Florida has relaxed its requirements for obtaining a concealed carry permit, there are still restrictions on where firearms can be carried. Certain locations, such as places of nuisance as defined by Florida law, remain off-limits for those carrying concealed weapons. These places include prostitution dens, illegal gambling halls, specified massage parlours, and areas of criminal gang activity.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a "Constitutional Carry" bill into law on July 1, 2023, allowing Florida residents to carry a concealed firearm or other weapons without a concealed weapons license.
To carry a concealed firearm in Florida, you must be a US legal resident, be of sound body and mind, and be over the age of 21 (unless you are a member of the Armed Forces). You must also not have any felony convictions or be ruled delinquent for committing a felony.
Yes, there are several places where open and concealed weapons are restricted in Florida. These include any place of nuisance as defined in s. 823.05, any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special district, and the premises of courthouses, polling places, schools, colleges, and airports.
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