Concealed weapons law varies from state to state. The U.S. Supreme Court has emphasized that Americans do have the right to own firearms. However, the constitution does permit states to restrict gun usage for the general safety of the public. While open carry is banned in general in Florida, the Supreme Court of Florida has established that you can carry a firearm in specific ways – depending on whether or not you have a concealed weapons permit.
Without a permit, Florida allows you to carry a firearm in the following ways:
In Florida, you can apply with the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services for your concealed weapons permit. Processing usually takes 50-55 days to get your permit. Not everyone qualifies and you can find a list of disqualifying reasons here.
What are the benefits of having a concealed weapons permit?
According to Florida law, having a concealed weapons permit allows you to carry the firearm in a concealed manner on your person. A person without a proper permit can be charged as committing a misdemeanor of the first degree for carrying a concealed firearm on his/her person.
To carry on your person refers to having the firearm readily accessible. For example, under your shirt, under your pants, in your jacket, are all places that you may have the weapon if you have a concealed weapons permit. A misdemeanor of the first degree carries of a maximum jail term of one year!
If you obtain a concealed firearm license/permit, you are entitled to certain privileges (such as carrying a concealed firearm on your person). A concealed firearm is “any firearm … which is carried on or about a person in such a manner as to conceal the firearm from the ordinary sight of another person.” This lisence/permit allows you to carry the weapon on you in away that is hidden from the public (i.e under your shirt, in your jacket, ankle holsters, etc.)
Another privilege you have (if you have a concealed weapon permit) is that you may “briefly and openly display the firearm to the ordinary sight of another person, unless the firearm is intentionally displayed in an angry or threatening manner, not in necessary self-defense.”
– Any place of nuisance as defined in s. 823.05;
– Any police, sheriff, or highway patrol station;
– Any detention facility, prison, or jail;
– Any courthouse or courtroom (the Judge can still carry a firearm, however);
– Any polling place;
– Any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special district;
– Any meeting of the Legislature or a committee;
– Any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms;
– Any elementary or secondary school facility or administration building;
– Other examples of where you cannot carry firearms can be found here.
If you don’t have (or can’t get) a concealed firearm permit, you need to learn about the laws surrounding firearms in Florida. Here is a link to statutes that are on point. Below are a few frequently asked questions.
No. You may keep a gun or weapon in your home or in your place of business (assuming you work for yourself – if you are an employee at a large company, they probably won’t allow it!). You can also transport the gun as long as it is securely encased during transport.
Yes, but this is a complicated matter. Florida Law allows a person to stand your ground and defend themselves so long as are are in a place where you may lawfully be and you use appropriate force.
Yes! Just because the weapon is in your car that does not mean it is concealed, as defined in the above information. For example, if your firearm is not in an enclosed case and is placed under your seat or on the passenger seat, you may be charged with carrying a firearm. However, if the firearm is in a glove compartment or some other closed box, then that probably complies with Florida law and you would be okay.
Call a lawyer and tell him/her the details of your case before admitting guilt or pleading out and closing your case. Your encounter with the police and where the firearm was located at the time is essential to your case.
Consider the recent case of Eric Brunson v. The State of Florida. Brunson was charged with carrying a concealed weapon after arriving to his apartment complex. The police received a call saying that gunshots had been fired into the air and that the perpetrator had driven away. The police identified Brunson as the perpetrator and as Brunson got out of his car and began walking to his apartment, he was stopped, handcuffed, and arrested. After, the police asked him where the gun was located and Brunson said it was under the front seat. The following would suggest Brunson was guilty of carrying a concealed weapon:
However, because the policeman saw Brunson exit out of the car and begin walking to the apartment, the gun was not on his person. This means it was not readily available to him at the time that the policeman stopped him. This being the case, the state did not have enough evidence to prove that he was carrying a concealed weapon that it was accessible to him at the time of his encounter with the police! Charges dismissed.
Arrested for carrying a concealed firearm? Call us today! 407-FIGHTER.
“As long as you are 18 or older, you may carry a concealed firearm or weapon without a concealed weapons permit in Florida, so long as it is “within the interior of a private conveyance and the weapon is securely encased or is otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use.” In other words, you should not be able to reach for it and shoot.”
Yes. Florida allows you to have a gun in your home without a license.
If you have a misdemeanor crime of violence in the last three years, you cannot get a concealed weapons permit in Florida.
No, you do not need a permit to have a gun in your house.
“As long as you are 18 or older, a person may carry a gun without a concealed weapons permit so long as it is “within the interior of a private conveyance and the weapon is securely encased or is otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use.” In other words, you should not be able to reach for it and shoot.”
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