Florida Gun & Ammo Laws: A 2nd Amendment Overview for Florida Gun Owners

PLEASE NOTE: The laws which impact Florida gun owners are subject to frequent change at the local, state, and federal level so it's wise to consult an attorney or your local law enforcement agency before making any final firearms-related decisions. Our official policy on shipping ammo to Florida can be found here, whereas the information below is meant as a reference point only.

Florida State Constitution

(a)The right of the people to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves and of the lawful authority of the state shall not be infringed, except that the manner of bearing arms may be regulated by law.

(b)There shall be a mandatory period of three days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, between the purchase and delivery at retail of any handgun. For the purposes of this section, "purchase" means the transfer of money or other valuable consideration to the retailer, and "handgun" means a firearm capable of being carried and used by one hand, such as a pistol or revolver. Holders of a concealed weapon permit as prescribed in Florida law shall not be subject to the provisions of this paragraph.

(c) The legislature shall enact legislation implementing subsection (b) of this section, effective no later than December 31, 1991, which shall provide that anyone violating the provisions of subsection (b) shall be guilty of a felony.

(d) This restriction shall not apply to a trade in of another handgun.

Florida Constitutional Provision Article 1, Section 8: Right to bear arms.

Other provisions relating to the power of the people over government:

All political power is inherent in the people. The enunciation herein of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or impair others retained by the people.

Florida Constitutional Provision Article 1, Section 1: Political power.

The people shall have the right peaceably to assemble, to instruct their representatives, and to petition for redress of grievances.

Florida Constitutional Provision Article 1, Section 5: Right to assemble.

Florida Gun Laws

Florida Gun Laws Overview (Source: NRA-ILA)
Florida Concealed Carry (CCW) Overview (Source: HandgunLaw.us)
Concealed Weapon License (Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)
Florida Concealed Weapon License FAQ (Source: Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services)

Florida Hunting Rules & Regulations

Hunting in Florida (Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
Recreational Hunting Licenses & Permits (Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
Florida Hunting Regulations (Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
Season Dates and Species (Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
Florida Licenses and Permits Online (Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
Florida Hunter Safety and Education (Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)

Florida Shooting Ranges

FWC-Managed Public Shooting Ranges (Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission)
NSSF-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NSSF's WhereToShoot.org)
NRA-Affiliated Shooting Ranges (Source: NRA.org)

Florida Competitive Shooting Clubs & Matches

IDPA Clubs (Source: IDPA.com)
IDPA Matches (Source: IDPA.com)
USPSA Clubs (Source: USPSA.org)
USPSA Matches (Source: USPSA.org)
USA Shooting Clubs (Source: USAShooting.org)
USA Shooting Matches (Source: USAShooting.org)
4-H Shooting Sports State Contacts (Source: 4-HShootingSports.org)

Florida NRA Training Courses & Fundraising Events

Florida NRA-Affiliated Training Courses (Source: NRA.org)
Florida "Friends of NRA" Events & News (Source: FriendsofNRA.org)

Florida State Firearm & Hunting Associations

The Florida Sport Shooting Association (NRA-Affiliated)
Florida Carry (GOA-Affiiated)
Florida Gun Rights (NAGR-Affiiated)
Florida Open Carry
Safari Club International North Florida Chapter (SCI-Affiliated)
Safari Club International West Palm Beach Chapter (SCI-Affiliated)
Safari Club International Tampa Bay Chapter (SCI-Affiliated)
Florida Students for Concealed Carry (Source: ConcealedCampus.org)
Florida Civilian Marksmanship Program (Source: TheCMP.org)
Florida NRA-Affiliated State Association (Source: NRA.org)
Florida Safari Club Affiliated State Association (Source: SafariClub.org)

Florida Gun Shows and FFLs

Florida Gun & Knife Shows (Source: GunShows-USA.com)
Florida FFL Holders (Source: FFLGunDealers.net)
NICS Firearm Checks by State (Source: FBI.gov)

Florida's Yearly Ranking for Gun-Friendly States

Florida Elected Public Officials

Congressional (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Gubernatorial (Source: VoteSmart.org)
State Legislature (Source: VoteSmart.org)
Statewide Officials (Source: VoteSmart.org)
NRA's Ranking of Florida Public Officials (Source: NRA-PVF.org)

Florida Public Finances and Personal & Economic Freedom Rankings

Florida State Checkbook (Source: Open The Books)
Florida State Employees (Source: Open The Books)
Florida Personal & Economic Freedom Ranking (Source: CATO Institute)
Florida Civil Asset Forfeiture (aka "Policing For Profit") Ranking (Source: Institute for Justice)

Florida State Business Tax Climate Rankings

Florida State Business Tax Climate Rank (Source: Tax Foundation)
Taxes in Florida (Source: Tax Foundation)

Firearm Background Check Data

Background check types

The transaction types Permit, Permit Recheck, Handgun, Long Gun, Other, Multiple and Admin on the chart are for background checks initiated by an officially-licensed Federal Firearms Licensee (FFL) or criminal justice/law enforcement agency prior to the issuance of a firearm-related permit or transfer.

Multiple indicates a background check where more than one type of firearm is associated to a single background check.

Admin indicates the administrative checks that are for other authorized uses of the NICS.

Pre-Pawn background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees seeking to pledge or pawn a firearm.

Redemption background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to regain possession of a firearm after pledging or pawning a firearm as security at a pawn shop.

Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Return to Seller-Private Sale background checks requested by an officially-licensed FFL on prospective firearm transferees attempting to possess a firearm from a private party seller who is not an officially-licensed FFL.

Best Gun-Friendly States Ranking

Overall Freedom Ranking

Business Tax Climate Rankings

Gun and Ammo Laws by State

Popular Ammo Calibers and Brands

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