Florida Concealed Carry Laws: What You Need to Know

Published March 25, 2022

The Second Amendment of the US Constitution guarantees the right of the people to bear arms. Because of this, every state has their own laws for carrying guns and other types of weapons. In this post, we’ll talk about Florida concealed carry laws.

In almost all states, including Florida, you are allowed to carry concealed weapons such as guns and certain types of ammunition. But you must have the necessary permits for those weapons. Otherwise, you could be looking at a felony charge with up to 5 years of jail time.

In addition to permits, the concealed carry laws in Florida also impose certain restrictions on the use of those weapons.

To help you avoid getting into legal trouble, here are some of the things you need to know about carrying a concealed weapon in Florida.

Eligibility for a Concealed Carry Permit

Florida uses a “shall-issue” policy in terms of concealed carry permits. This means that as long as you pass the eligibility requirements set by law, the state or issuing officer is legally bound to grant you a permit.

According to Florida Statute 790.06, to be eligible for a concealed carry permit, you must:

• be a resident and a citizen or a permanent resident alien in the US;
• be at least 21 years old;
• not be suffering from a physical disability that prevents the safe handling of a firearm;
• have not been convicted of a felony;
• have not been found guilty of a crime related to controlled substances or committed for the abuse of a controlled substance;
• not be chronically or habitually abusing alcohol to the extent that it impairs your judgment;
• demonstrate competence with a firearm;
• have not been declared an incapacitated person;
• have never been committed to a mental institution;
• have not been convicted of a felony or even a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, unless 3 years have passed since the probation or any other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled;
• not have any current injunctions that prevent you from committing acts of domestic violence

Concealed carry licenses in Florida are valid for seven years. Once you have your permit, you need to bring it with you every time you carry your weapon. Failure to do so constitutes a noncriminal violation subject to penalties.

The state also issues licenses for non-Florida residents as long as they qualify with the state’s eligibility requirements.

What Types of Weapons Need License?

You’ll need a concealed carry permit for weapons such as:

• handguns
• knives
• billies
• electronic weapons or devices
• tear gas guns

Tasers and stun guns can be openly carried without a permit if they will be used for defensive purposes. A pepper spray with no more than 2 ounces of chemicals can be carried without a permit too.

While the second amendment protects our rights to bear arms, there are certain types of weapons that are strictly prohibited in Florida. Even if you are eligible for a concealed carry permit, you still won’t be issued one for weapons like:

• exploding bullets
• armor-piercing bullets
• “dragon’s breath” shotgun shells
• flechette shells
• bolo shells