Florida gun laws follow shall-issue guidelines. The state has relaxed laws when buying handguns (more on that below), but the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is the issuer of all weapons permits in the state.
Florida Concealed Carry Permit Info: How to Get a Concealed Weapons Permit
If you want to obtain a Florida concealed carry permit, you must meet the following requirements:
- 21 years of age or older
- S. citizen/legal resident alien
- Complete firearms training class approved by the state
Members of the armed forces, as long as they’re between the ages of 18 and 20, will be able to circumvent the age requirement. Applications can be completed online or via mail, or you can also go in person to hand in the application.
In-person applications put you on a fast track, so you will receive your permit much faster than if you were to submit the application via mail or online.
Handgun Training
All permits require that a person receive handgun training. Certificates will be required upon completion. Courses prove that you’re competent in handling a handgun. The following course certifications will suffice:
- Certificates from a state-certified firearms training instructor
- Documentation proving your participation in organized shooting competition
- NRA firearms training course certificates
- Hunter safety courses that are approved by the state
- Firearms safety courses provided by:
- Florida Department of Agriculture
- NRA
- Criminal Justice Training Commission
Members of the military will also be able to bypass handgun training requirements if they have provided a statement of military service or military order that a commander or personnel officer signed.
Former military members can also have their training satisfied by completing a DD form 214.
Situations That May Make You Ineligible for a Permit
There are requirements that must also be met that will make you ineligible for a permit. You will not be able to receive a permit if:
- You have a physical disability or infirmity that prevents you from handling a firearm or weapon safely.
- You have an addiction to drugs or alcohol that impairs normal faculties.
- In the previous three years, you have had two or more DUI convictions.
- You have a felony conviction on your record.
- In the previous three years, you have been convicted of a violent crime.
- You have been deemed an incapacitated person in the last five years.
- You have been convicted of a crime of domestic violence in the past three years.
You must also meet all federal law requirements to own and carry a handgun. Infractions on your record, involving violence of any kind, may have an impact on the receiving of your permit.
Non-resident Concealed Carry Permits in Florida
Non-residents may also apply for a permit in Florida. The fees are higher when renewing, and all non-residents can apply for their permit in the same way that a resident can. All of the same requirements must be met.
But you will need to supply local law enforcement with a set of your fingerprints or fingerprint cards.
The back of the fingerprint card will need to have the correct address of the law enforcement agency entered on the back. If you fail to provide a fingerprint card or the appropriate address of the agency, the application will be returned to you.
Residents will be required to provide their State ID or driver’s license as well as their training certificate when applying. You will have staff members take your photo and fingerprints.
Note: Depending on the county, you may need to have a psychological test performed to access your judgment.
Notification of your application’s approval will be sent via mail.
How Long Are Concealed Carry Permits Valid for in Florida?
Your CCW permit will cost $97 (subject to change), and the permit will remain valid for a permit of seven years. Permits take around 90 days to be processed, and the entire process can be completed online, too.
How to Renew Your Concealed Carry Permit in FL
Renewing your permit will be done in a similar way to your original application. Renewals are just $57 for residents and $99 for non-residents. You must ensure that you meet all of the requirements listed above to be able to be granted a permit renewal.
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will send you a renewal application 150 days before your permit expires.
You will have up to six months from the expiration of the permit to reapply. A late fee of $15 is assessed if you allow your permit to expire.
If you opt to renew your permit in person, you will want to schedule an appointment.
You may renew by:
- Going to the regional office. The process takes an hour or so, and you will receive your permit within just minutes.
- Going to the tax collector’s office, and the process will take an hour or so. Your permit will be provided within minutes.
- Opting to renew your permit through mail. This is a longer process, but you should receive your renewed permit in two weeks.
How to Change Your Name or Address If You Have a Permit
If you have a concealed carry permit and change your name or address, you will have to notify the Division of Licensing within a period of 30 days after the change. You can change your name or address inline, or send your request in writing to:
Division of Licensing
P.O. Box 6387
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6387
Addresses are no longer printed on licenses, but you can still request a revised license if your name changes. When requesting a name change, you will have to provide documentation to back your name change.
The documentation will require one of the following documents:
- Court documentation
- Divorce decree
- Marriage certificate
If your permit has been stolen or lost, you can also mail the Division of Licensing to request a new license. You will need to explain that your license has been lost or stolen. A fee of $15 will be assessed for all replacements.
Understanding How Florida Handles Handgun Purchases
Buying a handgun in Florida from a private individual is very easy.
You will not need to:
- Have a background check
- Have a valid permit
- Register the firearm
Buyers must be 21 years of age or older, and while some counties do have waiting periods when purchasing a handgun, permit holders are exempt from these waiting periods.
Waiting periods last for three days, and a criminal background check will be performed at this time. The background check must be completed before purchase, so the waiting period may take longer.
Open carry of knives is allowed, and the only exception to carrying is a ballistic knife. Conceal carrying of a knife does require you to have a concealed carry permit.
Florida CCW Reciprocity Map
Which States Honor Florida’s Concealed Carry Permits?
Florida honors all permits from states where reciprocity agreements have been made. Reciprocity is available in the following states with two main restrictions:
- Permit holders must be at least 21
- Permits must be for a resident of the corresponding state
The following states are on Florida’s concealed carry reciprocity map:
[one_third]
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- Colorado
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Idaho
[/one_third]
[one_third] - Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Michigan
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
[/one_third]
[one_third_last] - New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Pennsylvania
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Wyoming
[/one_third_last]
Concealed Carry Location Restrictions in Florida
Florida gun laws, like in other states, do have restrictions for where a permit holder is allowed to conceal carry. Restrictions apply to the following:
- You are not permitted to carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol if it is posted that carrying is not allowed.
- Colleges
- Universities
- Polling places
- Courthouses or courtrooms
- Prison or jails
- Technical or vacations centers
- Hospitals
- Mental health facilities
- Professional athletic events
- Elementary schools
- Secondary schools
- Seaport
- Savannas State Reserve
- Airport
- Passenger terminal
- Places not permitted by federal law
Florida does allow you to carry in your vehicle, at roadside rest areas, national parks, places of worship and Florida State Fairgrounds.