Florida Firearms Laws: What You Need to Know
Florida’s firearm laws are a mix of permissive carry rights and specific, non-negotiable restrictions. As of July 1, 2023, the state became permitless carry, meaning most adults 21 and over can carry a concealed firearm without a license. However, this doesn’t mean a free-for-all; understanding statutes like the “10-20-Life” mandatory minimum sentencing law is critical for any gun owner in the Sunshine State.
Permitless Carry and the Role of the CWFL
Florida’s permitless carry law, signed by Governor DeSantis, allows lawful individuals 21 and older to carry a concealed weapon or firearm without a license. You must still meet all other eligibility requirements and cannot carry in prohibited places like schools, government meetings, or bars. The concealed weapon or firearm license (CWFL) is still valuable. It provides reciprocity with over 35 states, exempts you from the mandatory 3-day waiting period on firearm purchases, and is required for open carry, which is only legal while fishing, hunting, camping, or at a shooting range. For a reliable, concealable option perfect for this new environment, check out our Semi Auto Pistols collection.
Purchasing Firearms: The Process & Waiting Period
To buy a firearm from a licensed dealer in Florida, you must be 21 for a handgun and 18 for a long gun. The process involves passing an instant NICS background check. Florida mandates a 3-day waiting period between purchase and delivery for all firearms, unless the buyer holds a valid CWFL. This waiting period is calendar days, not business days. Private sales between individuals are legal, but I strongly recommend using a licensed dealer to process the transfer and ensure the buyer is not a prohibited person. It’s the only way to be certain you’re not breaking the law. For new owners, a great first purchase is something like the Ruger Mark IV 22/45 Lite, an excellent .22 LR trainer available at Americans Gun.
Prohibited Places and the “10-20-Life” Law
Even with permitless carry, you cannot bring a firearm into specific locations. These include any school property (unless securely locked in a vehicle), police stations, courthouses, polling places, government meetings, airports (past security), and any establishment where the primary business is serving alcohol for consumption on-site. The most severe law to understand is “10-20-Life.” It imposes mandatory minimum prison sentences: 10 years for displaying a gun during certain felonies, 20 years for firing it, and 25 years to life for shooting someone. There is no parole. This law is applied aggressively, so knowing where you can and cannot carry is not just about a misdemeanor trespass—it’s about avoiding a decade in prison.
Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine
Florida has a strong “Stand Your Ground” law (F.S. 776.012). There is no duty to retreat if you are in a place you have a legal right to be and you reasonably believe force is necessary to prevent imminent death, great bodily harm, or to stop a forcible felony. The “Castle Doctrine” extends this presumption of reasonable fear to your home or vehicle. If someone unlawfully and forcibly enters, you are presumed to have held a reasonable fear of imminent peril. This is a powerful legal defense, but it is not a blanket immunity. The key is “reasonable belief.” Using deadly force against a verbal argument or a simple trespasser who poses no threat will not be justified. Your actions will be scrutinized by law enforcement and prosecutors.
Transportation and Storage Requirements
Transporting firearms in Florida is straightforward if done correctly. Without a CWFL, firearms must be securely encased and not readily accessible for immediate use. “Securely encased” means in a glove compartment, a snapped holster, a gun case, or a closed container. It can be unlocked. You can legally have a loaded magazine and a loaded firearm in the same closed container. For storage, while there is no state mandate for locking devices in homes, you can be held civilly liable if a minor gains access to a negligently stored firearm and causes injury or death. Using a safe or cable lock is just common sense. For hunters, proper maintenance is part of safe storage; a part like the Thompson Center Pro-Hunter Breech Plug O-Ring ensures your muzzleloader stays in safe working order.
Can I carry a firearm in my car without a permit in Florida?
Yes. Under permitless carry, you can carry a concealed firearm in your vehicle without a CWFL, provided you are 21 or older and otherwise eligible. The firearm can be loaded and does not need to be in a locked container, but it must not be “readily accessible for immediate use.” Practical interpretation means it should be in a glove compartment, center console, or holster—not on your lap or the passenger seat.
Are “assault weapons” or magazine capacity restricted in Florida?
No. Florida has no state-level bans on so-called “assault weapons” or standard-capacity magazines. You can legally purchase and possess AR-15 platform rifles, AK-pattern firearms, and magazines of any capacity. However, always check local ordinances, though state preemption generally prohibits cities and counties from creating their own firearm regulations.
What disqualifies someone from owning a firearm in Florida?
Federal and state prohibitions apply. You cannot own a firearm if you are a convicted felon, have a domestic violence misdemeanor conviction, are subject to an active restraining order, have been adjudicated mentally defective or committed to a mental institution, are a fugitive from justice, or are an unlawful user of controlled substances. Florida also prohibits purchase by anyone under 21 for handguns, with limited exceptions for military and law enforcement.
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Last updated: April 15, 2026