The Facts Behind Florida Gun Laws

Through the years we have always had intense debate on gun laws and even though we live in a united country, the gun laws really depend on where you live. So, I would like to jump into the state of Florida gun laws. To start off the webster definition of law is “a rule of conduct or action prescribed or formally recognized as binding or enforced by a controlling authority.”

The first law is the preemption of local government from creating their own laws except for creating firearm zones where it is illegal to have firearms such as school zones and areas of that nature. This was put into legislature as of 1987 having the state of Florida regulating the sales of firearms and ammunition such as the sales, transportation and transferring firearms to other individuals. The idea behind it was to create a transparent law throughout the state, so no matter your location in Florida, the firearm law is the same. Throughout that time local governments still enforced their own laws due to no ramifications.

On December 7th,2010 Representative Matt Gaetz introduced a bill to the Florida legislature adding penalties for not adhering to this law with being fined, removed from public office, terminated from employment and other punishments. Then on June 2nd, 2011, Rick Scott as the Governor of Florida, signed it into law. Some have looked at the penalties as unconstitutional, however I am in the middle. I like for laws to be transparent throughout the state, so I do not have to guess if I am committing a crime by 10 miles down the road, then the other side is who better to know what laws need to be incorporated then the locals who are living in that location.

Now this has been a big topic with open carry and carrying a concealed weapon. Let us start with what open carry is. The definition of open carry is “ the practice of openly carrying a firearm on one’s person in public” and it is not legal to openly carry a firearm unless you are in your home, on your property, if you are traveling to or from a fishing, camping or legal hunting trip, taking it to a repair shop or having it locked in your vehicle due to your vehicle being your property. So, the notion that being able to openly carry a firearm is true if you are in the abovementioned guidelines. So no, you are not traveling back to the wild west days where everyone matched their outfit with their shiniest gun, that is false.

Which deviating from these laws could result in loss of guns, fines, jail time and more. Now carrying a concealed firearm in Florida is possible with following the guidelines. A concealed firearm is “any firearm which is carried on or about a person in such a manner as to conceal the firearm from the ordinary sight of another person.” In order to carry a concealed firearm you have to have a concealed fire arm permit which you can apply online or send the mail by downloading an application online with using the website proved “online application” and then also if you prefer you can in in person at your nearest regional office or tax collector office. (Division of Licensing Regional Offices or Tax Collector Offices

Lastly, I would like to talk about the dos and don’ts that come attached with have a concealed weapons permit. Before committing to this process, I would like to discuss what would automatically disqualify you from obtaining a permit. You must be 21 and older, have no felony convictions unless your civil and firearm rights have been restored by the convicting and just having any type of criminal record could put a barrier on obtaining one, but I always say never say never and contact your local courthouse to see what options pertain to you. You also must have completed a firearms training course or be a current member of the military or an honorably discharged veteran. I think it is good to enforce gun safety before anyone can just walk around with a gun. Now let us discuss where you cannot have your firearm even with a legal conceal permit. You cannot bring your firearm to any type of educational building, courthouses, police stations, hospitals or any place serving alcohol. So, with that said just use a little common sense to stay out of trouble. Finally, you are a concealed weapons permit holder and are ready to go on vacation. Well, you can take your firearm but be warned that not all 50 states recognize this, and you could be in a lot of trouble if you do not pay attention. So, to help I put a map of all the states that do and do not.