Florida Gun Laws: What Residents, New Movers, and Visitors Need to Know

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials available on this site are for general informational purposes only.

Quick Answer Florida's gun laws sit in the middle of the national spectrum — more permissive than states like California and New York, more regulated than some neighboring Southern states. As of July 2023, Florida allows permitless concealed carry for eligible adults. Open carry remains generally prohibited. Purchases from licensed dealers require a background check and a three-day waiting period. Florida's Stand Your Ground law is among the broadest in the country. Laws change — always verify with current official sources.

Table of Contents

• Florida Gun Laws: The Landscape and What's Changed

• Carrying a Firearm: Permitless Carry, the CWFL, and What's Legal

• Where You Cannot Carry — The Full Prohibited List

• Stand Your Ground, Castle Doctrine, and Self-Defense in Florida

• Red Flag Orders, Safe Storage, and Other Florida-Specific Laws

• Frequently Asked Questions

Important Notice This article provides general educational information about Florida firearm laws and is not legal advice. Gun laws are amended regularly through the Florida Legislature and in response to court decisions. Before making decisions based on firearms law, verify current statutes at leg.state.fl.us or consult a licensed Florida attorney.

Florida Gun Laws: The Landscape and What's Changed

Florida has one of the more active and frequently amended firearms law landscapes in the country. The state's gun laws have changed meaningfully multiple times in recent years — in both directions — reflecting a Florida Legislature and public that holds genuinely strong and divergent views on the subject.

Two events in particular define the modern shape of Florida gun law:

February 2018 — The Parkland Shooting. The mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland killed 17 students and staff and became a national inflection point. Florida's legislature responded within weeks with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act — a sweeping piece of legislation that raised the minimum purchase age from 18 to 21, created Florida's Risk Protection Order (red flag) system, banned bump stocks, mandated armed school resource officers, and added a waiting period requirement. It was the most significant tightening of Florida gun law in decades.

July 2023 — Permitless Carry. Five years after Parkland, the Florida Legislature passed SB 150, signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis, allowing lawful gun owners to carry a concealed firearm without obtaining a permit. Florida became the 26th state to enact some form of constitutional or permitless carry. The existing Concealed Weapon or Firearm License (CWFL) program was not eliminated — it remains available and valuable for reasons discussed below.

Understanding both of those moments gives you the context for where Florida currently stands.

Buying a Firearm in Florida

Background Checks

Any firearm purchase from a federally licensed dealer (FFL) in Florida requires a background check through the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) and Florida's own system maintained by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. This applies whether you are buying a handgun, rifle, or shotgun.

Private sales between individuals — a transaction that does not go through a licensed dealer — are not required by Florida state law to include a background check. This is sometimes referred to as the "private sale exemption" or colloquially as the "gun show loophole," though it applies to any private transaction, not just gun shows.

The Three-Day Waiting Period

Florida law requires a three-day waiting period — three days, not 72 hours — between the purchase and delivery of a firearm. This means if you purchase a gun on a Monday, the earliest you can take possession is Thursday, regardless of when the background check clears.

There are specific exceptions to the waiting period:

• Holders of a valid Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License (CWFL) are exempt from the waiting period on handguns

• Individuals who trade in a firearm of the same type at the time of purchase may be exempt in certain circumstances

• Law enforcement officers purchasing firearms in an official capacity are exempt

Minimum Age Requirements

Florida law, updated after Parkland, sets the minimum age to purchase any firearm — handgun or long gun — at 21 years old. This is stricter than federal law, which allows 18-year-olds to purchase long guns from licensed dealers. In Florida, the state age requirement of 21 governs.

There are exceptions for active duty military members and law enforcement officers.

What Florida Does Not Require

Florida does not require:

• A permit or license to purchase a firearm

• Registration of firearms with the state

• A firearms identification card

• Any training or safety course prior to purchase

Carrying a Firearm: Permitless Carry, the CWFL, and What's Legal

Open Carry: A Major 2025 Development

The open carry entry in the table above reflects a legal landscape that changed significantly in September 2025. For most of Florida's modern history, open carry was prohibited under Florida Statute 790.053 — a ban that had been in place since 1987. That changed through the courts, not the legislature.

On September 10, 2025, a three-judge panel of Florida's First District Court of Appeal issued a ruling in the case of State v. McDaniels, striking down Florida's open carry ban as unconstitutional. Judge Stephanie Ray, writing for the panel, found no historical basis for the prohibition under the standard established by the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen — which requires that firearm regulations be rooted in the nation's historical tradition. The ruling took effect September 25, 2025. Governor DeSantis and the Attorney General supported the decision.

As of June 2026, open carry is permitted in Florida for individuals who are lawfully eligible to possess a firearm, subject to all existing location restrictions. Schools, courthouses, government buildings, polling places, and other prohibited locations remain off-limits. Florida Statute 790.053 technically remains on the books but has been ruled unenforceable. Two follow-up bills introduced in the Legislature to further clarify location restrictions — HB 63 and HB 321 — were either withdrawn or died in committee. The Florida Supreme Court Chief Justice confirmed that judges retain authority to prohibit firearms in courthouses.

This is an evolving area of Florida law. Because this ruling is court-driven rather than legislative, further legal challenges or legislative action remain possible. Verify current status at leg.state.fl.us or consult a licensed Florida attorney before relying on this as current legal guidance.

Permitless Carry: What It Actually Means

The July 2023 permitless carry law (SB 150) is frequently misunderstood, and it's worth being precise about what it does and doesn't change.

What it does: It removes the requirement that a law-abiding adult obtain a CWFL before carrying a concealed firearm. If you are 21 or older, lawfully permitted to possess a firearm under both state and federal law, and the firearm is fully concealed, you may carry without obtaining a license.

What it does not do: It does not change Florida's prohibition on open carry. It does not remove any of the prohibited locations where carrying is illegal. It does not change who is legally prohibited from possessing a firearm — convicted felons, people subject to domestic violence injunctions, those adjudicated mentally defective, and other federally and state-prohibited categories remain fully prohibited. It does not change age requirements.

The law essentially removed the licensing step for people who were already legally eligible to carry — it did not expand who is eligible.

Why the CWFL Still Matters

Even with permitless carry available, the Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License remains worth having for many gun owners for two significant reasons.

First, interstate reciprocity. Florida's CWFL is recognized in more than 35 other states. If you travel with a firearm, the CWFL means your right to carry concealed follows you across most of the country. Permitless carry does not travel — only your Florida license does.

Second, the waiting period exemption. CWFL holders are exempt from the three-day waiting period on handgun purchases. For gun owners who purchase firearms regularly, this is a practical benefit.

The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services manages CWFL applications. The Division of Licensing maintains current application requirements, fees, and processing information.

Florida Current Note "Constitutional carry" is the term commonly used for permitless carry laws, reflecting the argument that the Second Amendment itself is sufficient license. Whatever your view on that debate, the practical effect in Florida is clear: eligible adults can carry concealed without obtaining a permit. The license remains available and useful for those who want it.

Where You Cannot Carry — The Full Prohibited List

Permitless carry and CWFL alike are subject to Florida's extensive list of locations where carrying a firearm is prohibited. Florida Statute 790.06 and related statutes specify these locations, and they are not optional.

You may not carry a firearm — concealed or otherwise — in:

• Any school, school facility, or school-sponsored event — including K-12 schools, school buses, and school-sponsored activities regardless of location

• College and university campuses (with limited exceptions for certain school personnel under specific programs)

• Any courthouse or courtroom

• Any polling place during an election

• Any government meeting — city councils, county commissions, legislative committee meetings

• Any law enforcement station, jail, or detention facility

• Any bar or establishment primarily serving alcohol — where the sale of alcohol is the primary purpose; restaurants that serve alcohol are generally not included in this prohibition

• Any portion of a commercial airport past the security checkpoint

• Any career center

• Any place of nuisance as defined in Florida law

• Any place where firearms are otherwise prohibited by state or federal law

Private property rights: Property owners and businesses may prohibit firearms on their premises. Proper posting or notification is required for the prohibition to carry legal weight, but businesses have the legal authority to restrict firearms on their property, and failure to comply is a trespass issue.

Florida Current Reminder The prohibited locations list is the part of Florida gun law that trips people up most often. Carrying into a prohibited location — even with a valid CWFL — is a third-degree felony under Florida law. Know the list before you carry. When in doubt about a specific location, the safest answer is to leave the firearm secured in your vehicle or at home.

Stand Your Ground, Castle Doctrine, and Self-Defense in Florida

Stand Your Ground

Florida's Stand Your Ground law, enacted in 2005, is among the most expansive self-defense statutes in the country and one of the most frequently discussed. Understanding it accurately matters — it is often both overstated and understated in popular coverage.

Florida Statute 776.012 provides that a person who is not engaged in criminal activity and is in a place where they have a legal right to be may use or threaten to use force — including deadly force — if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to themselves or another, or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony.

The critical element that distinguishes Florida's law from traditional self-defense doctrine: there is no duty to retreat. In states with a traditional duty-to-retreat requirement, a person who can safely avoid a confrontation is legally required to attempt to do so before using deadly force. Florida eliminated that requirement. If you are legally present in a location and reasonably fear imminent death or great bodily harm, Florida law does not require you to retreat before acting in self-defense.

Stand Your Ground also provides a legal immunity pathway — a defendant can seek a pre-trial hearing to establish that their use of force was legally justified, potentially ending the prosecution before trial.

Castle Doctrine

Florida's Castle Doctrine, codified in Florida Statute 776.013, provides that a person has no duty to retreat and has the right to use or threaten to use deadly force if they are in their dwelling, residence, or occupied vehicle and reasonably believe that force is necessary to prevent death, great bodily harm, or the forcible commission of a felony.

The doctrine creates a legal presumption that a person who forcibly and unlawfully enters a dwelling, residence, or vehicle intends to commit an unlawful act involving force or violence — which supports the use of defensive force by the occupant.

What These Laws Do Not Provide

Stand Your Ground and Castle Doctrine do not provide blanket immunity for any use of force. Courts have consistently held that the person invoking these protections must demonstrate a genuine, reasonable belief in imminent threat. People who are engaged in criminal activity themselves, who provoke a confrontation, or who use force in situations that a reasonable person would not characterize as presenting imminent threat are not protected by these statutes.

These are legal frameworks, not free passes. Any use of deadly force — even legally justified — carries significant legal, financial, and personal consequences. The Florida Bar Association maintains a lawyer referral service for those with specific legal questions about self-defense law.

Red Flag Orders, Safe Storage, and Other Florida-Specific Laws

Risk Protection Orders (Red Flag Law)

Florida enacted its Risk Protection Order law in March 2018 as part of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. Florida was among the first states to pass such a law and has one of the more active programs in the country.

A Risk Protection Order (RPO) allows law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from an individual who poses a significant danger to themselves or others. Family members cannot petition directly in Florida — the petition must come from law enforcement.

The process has two stages. An ex parte order (issued without the subject present) may be issued immediately if the court finds probable cause. A full hearing must be held within 14 days, at which the subject has the right to appear and contest the order. If the full order is issued, it can last up to 12 months and prohibit the person from purchasing or possessing firearms during that time.

RPO proceedings are matters of public record. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement maintains data on RPO filings and outcomes.

Bump Stock Ban

Florida law prohibits bump-fire stocks and similar devices that increase the rate of fire of a semi-automatic weapon. This ban was enacted as part of the 2018 Public Safety Act and is separate from the federal bump stock ban that followed.

Safe Storage and Minors

Florida Statute 790.174 requires that any person who stores or leaves a loaded firearm within the premises of a residence must keep it securely locked in a gun box or container, or secured with a trigger lock, if the person knows or reasonably should know that a minor under 16 is likely to gain access to the firearm without adult supervision. Violation is a misdemeanor; if a minor gains access and uses the firearm to harm themselves or others, the penalties escalate significantly.

Selling to minors: Florida law prohibits the sale, transfer, or delivery of any firearm to a person under 18 years old. Combined with the 21-year purchase age, Florida has overlapping protections around minors and firearms access.

No Firearms Registry

Florida does not maintain a statewide firearms registry. There is no requirement to register a firearm upon purchase or transfer, and no government database of who owns which firearms within the state beyond the records maintained by licensed dealers as required by federal law.

Florida Current Take Florida's gun law landscape changed significantly in 2018 and again in 2023. Anyone who learned Florida gun law before either of those dates — or relies on information from sources that haven't been updated — may be working with an incomplete picture. The statutes themselves are publicly available at leg.state.fl.us, and verifying current law before making decisions is always worth the time.

Florida Gun Law FAQ

Can I carry a gun without a permit in Florida? Yes, as of July 1, 2023. Florida's permitless carry law allows adults 21 and older who are legally eligible to possess a firearm to carry concealed without obtaining a license. The firearm must be fully concealed, and all prohibited locations still apply. Anyone legally prohibited from possessing a firearm remains prohibited. The CWFL is still available and valuable for interstate travel and other purposes.

Does Florida allow open carry? Yes — as of September 25, 2025. Florida's First District Court of Appeal ruled on September 10, 2025, that the state's open carry ban (Florida Statute 790.053, in effect since 1987) was unconstitutional. The case, State v. McDaniels, was decided based on the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court standard requiring firearm regulations to be historically grounded. Open carry is now permitted for individuals who are lawfully eligible to possess a firearm, with all prohibited location restrictions still in full effect — schools, courthouses, government buildings, and other restricted places remain off-limits. The statute remains on the books but is unenforceable under the ruling. As this is a court-driven change rather than a legislative one, further developments are possible. Verify current status with official Florida sources or a licensed attorney.

What is the waiting period to buy a gun in Florida? Three days between purchase and delivery from a licensed dealer, regardless of how quickly the background check clears. Holders of a valid Florida CWFL are exempt from the waiting period on handgun purchases. Active duty military and law enforcement purchasing for official use are also exempt. Verify current exceptions at the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services or with a licensed Florida attorney.

Do I need to register my gun in Florida? No. Florida has no firearms registry and no state registration requirement. There is no requirement to register a firearm when you purchase it, receive it as a gift, or move to Florida. Licensed dealers maintain federal purchase records as required by federal law — that is the extent of any record-keeping requirement.

What is Florida's Stand Your Ground law? Florida's Stand Your Ground law allows a person who is legally present in a location and who reasonably believes they face imminent death or great bodily harm to use defensive force — including deadly force — without a legal duty to retreat. Florida does not require you to attempt to flee before acting in self-defense. The law also provides an immunity hearing process. It does not provide blanket immunity — the threat must be genuine and a reasonable person in the same situation would have perceived the same danger.

Can a Florida resident carry their firearm in other states? Only with a CWFL. Florida's Concealed Weapon or Firearm License has reciprocity with more than 35 states — those states recognize the Florida license. Permitless carry does not cross state lines. Before traveling with a firearm, verify the current reciprocity status and specific laws of your destination state. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services maintains a current reciprocity map online.

What is Florida's red flag law? Florida's Risk Protection Order law allows law enforcement to petition a court to temporarily remove firearms from a person who poses a significant danger to themselves or others. An initial order can be issued quickly; a full hearing must follow within 14 days where the subject can appear and contest. If the full order is granted, it can prohibit firearm possession for up to 12 months. In Florida, only law enforcement — not family members — can petition for a Risk Protection Order.

Sources

• Florida Statutes, Chapter 790 — Weapons and Firearms — leg.state.fl.us

• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Division of Licensing (CWFL) — freshfromflorida.com

• Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Firearms — fdle.state.fl.us

• Florida Department of Financial Services — myfloridacfo.com

• Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act (SB 7026, 2018) — leg.state.fl.us

• Florida SB 150, Carrying of Concealed Weapons (2023) — leg.state.fl.us

• The Florida Bar, Lawyer Referral Service — floridabar.org

• NRA Institute for Legislative Action, Florida — nraila.org

• Giffords Law Center, Florida State Law Summary — giffords.org

Recommended Reading

• Florida Homeowners Insurance: The Honest Breakdown

• Is Florida Safe for Tourists? What to Know Before You Go

• New Florida Resident Checklist: What to Handle First

Information current as of June 2026. Florida firearm laws are subject to change through legislative action and court interpretation. Verify current law at leg.state.fl.us or consult a licensed Florida attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

Florida Current covers weather, lifestyle, outdoor life, and everything that comes with living in the Sunshine State. Browse our Florida Living section for regional guides, seasonal activity calendars, retirement guides and practical advice from people who actually live here.

Florida native Luana B. Gann brings more than 30 years of publishing, editing, and journalism experience to Florida Current. With a deep appreciation for the Sunshine State's culture, lifestyle, and ever-changing landscape, she is dedicated to helping readers discover what's new, noteworthy, and uniquely Florida.

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