Florida residents can conceal carry a weapon starting July 1, but there are rules

Benjamin Johnson, Pensacola News Journal
·5 min read
1.3k

Florida residents can legally carry a firearm without a permit starting July 1, but there is a long list of exceptions and rules that go along with the new law.

The Florida Senate voted for HB 543 in March and DeSantis quickly signed it, making Florida the 26th state that does not require a concealed weapons license.

Here are all the rules if you plan to carry concealed weapon.

Experts urge training: Gun training isn't required under permitless carry bill, but experts sure do recommend it

What to know: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed new permitless carry bill. Here's what it means for you:

What does concealed carry mean?

"Concealed carry" means you can publicly carry a legally owned firearm that is hidden from view. Concealed carry is currently legal in all 50 states but some states, including Florida before this bill, require special training and a license before it is allowed.

"Permitless carry" or "constitutional carry" allows both, without permits, licensing or training.

Can I carry a concealed weapon anywhere in Florida?

Not quite. The bill spells out a lengthy list of places where open and concealed weapons are restricted:

  • 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" such as prostitution dens, illegal gambling halls, specified massage parlors and anywhere criminal gang activity happens)

  • Any police, sheriff, or highway patrol station

  • Any detention facility, prison, or jail

  • Any courthouse

  • Any courtroom (although judges can carry concealed weapons or determine if someone else can)

  • 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 thereof

  • Any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms

  • Any elementary or secondary school facility or administration building

  • Any career center

  • Anywhere in an establishment primarily devoted to dispensing alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises

  • Any college or university facility unless the licensee is a registered student, employee, or faculty member there and the weapon is a stun gun or nonlethal electric weapon or device designed solely for defensive purposes and doesn't fire a dart or projectile

  • The inside of the passenger terminal and sterile area of any airport, unless it's encased for shipment to be checked as baggage

  • Any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law

What is legal age to carry a concealed weapon?

The Escambia County Sheriff's Office put out a Facebook post Wednesday, providing a list of important rules people must follow. One of which includes reminding residents they must be 21 years old or older to carry a concealed weapon.

You also must have a valid form of identification and be a legal resident of the U.S. Those who carry cannot suffer from a physical infirmity that prevents the safe use of a weapon.

Who cannot carry a concealed weapon?

Anyone convicted of a felony is barred from carrying a concealed firearm. Anyone ruled to be delinquent for committing a felony but were under 24 years old may not carry a concealed firearm.

Do I need to take a concealed weapons class?

No. the training course and subsequent permit will no longer be required to concealed carry a firearm.

However, the ECSO recommends people be educated about gun safety.

Retired U.S. Navy firearms instructor Robert Vincent provides firearms training, including concealed carry classes, in Pensacola for the organization Florida Gun Class, and he told the News Journal in April that gun ownership is "all about the training."

"I'm actually good about the bill. I don't think it's all about the permit as much as it is the training that people should get," Vincent said. "Unfortunately, I do feel that I'm going to have a decrease (in applicants) just because people are going to feel they don't need the training.

Where can I get more information regarding permitless carry?

If you'd like more information regarding Florida's permitless carry law, visit the Florida Senate bill summaries website at flsenate.gov/committees/billsummaries/2023.

What if I don't live in Florida and want to conceal carry? Does Florida have reciprocity?

Yes. Non-residents may carry concealed weapons or firearms provided they are 21 or older and not prevented by Florida law to possess them for any other reason. The age requirement doesn't apply to servicemembers or veterans.

What were Florida’s gun laws on concealed carry before HB 543?

Prior to HB 543 passing, Floridians needed to get a concealed weapon permit to carry a concealed weapon with limited exceptions.

Here are the previous minimum eligibility requirements for Floridians applying for a concealed carry permit, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services:

  • You must be at least 21 years of age unless you are a servicemember, as defined in Section 250.01, Florida Statutes, or you are a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who was discharged under honorable conditions.

  • You must meet the citizenship and residency requirements set forth in the law.

  • You must be able to provide a certificate of completion from a firearms training class or other acceptable training document that evidences your competency with a firearm.

  • You must not have a disqualifying criminal record or other condition that would make you ineligible for licensure.

Brandon Girod and C.A. Bridges contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Florida concealed carry law starts July 1. Here are the rules