Permitless Concealed Carry
Florida law authorizes a person to carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm without a Florida license when that person otherwise satisfies the statutory criteria for receiving and maintaining a license. Permitless carry did not eliminate eligibility rules or place restrictions.
- Carry must be concealed; Florida generally prohibits openly carrying a firearm.
- A person carrying without a license must carry valid identification and display it on demand by a law-enforcement officer.
- The same statutory prohibited-place rules that apply to license holders also apply to permitless carriers.
Florida Concealed Weapon or Firearm License
Florida continues to issue concealed weapon or firearm licenses. A license may still be useful for reciprocity when traveling and for certain purchase-related benefits. Other states set their own recognition and carry rules.
In June 2026, Florida’s Fourth District Court of Appeal ruled the statutory bar preventing otherwise-qualified adults ages 18–20 from obtaining a license unconstitutional. FDACS states that it will issue licenses to applicants age 18 or older who meet all other eligibility requirements. Because this is a developing area, check FDACS before relying on an age summary.
Places Where Carry Is Restricted
Authorization to carry does not mean a firearm may be carried everywhere. Section 790.06(12) lists restricted locations, including police stations, detention facilities, courthouses and courtrooms, polling places, specified government meetings, certain school and athletic facilities, bars or portions of establishments primarily devoted to alcohol service, most college or university facilities, and airport passenger terminals and sterile areas. Federal law can add restrictions.
Read the statute itself before carrying. Exceptions and definitions matter, and private property owners may control entry to their property.
Open Carry Is Generally Prohibited
Florida generally prohibits openly carrying a firearm. Limited statutory exceptions exist, including certain lawful activities addressed in section 790.25. A brief, accidental display by someone lawfully carrying concealed is not automatically a violation, but angry or threatening display is treated differently.
Firearms in Vehicles
A person age 18 or older who may lawfully possess a handgun may generally keep it inside a private vehicle if it is securely encased or otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use. A person authorized to carry concealed under section 790.01(1) may carry on their person in a private vehicle. The exact conditions and exceptions in the statute control.
Purchasing and Waiting Periods
Dealer sales involve required background checks. Florida law generally imposes a three-day waiting period—excluding weekends and legal holidays—or until required records checks are complete, whichever is later. Statutory exceptions include qualifying license holders, certain trade-ins, and specified rifle or shotgun purchases by people with hunter-safety credentials. Counties may have constitutionally authorized waiting-period provisions.
Age requirements are affected by both state and federal law and by ongoing litigation. Verify current rules with the dealer and official sources before attempting a purchase.
Who May Not Possess a Firearm
Florida and federal law prohibit possession by various categories of people. Examples can include people with qualifying felony convictions, certain domestic-violence convictions or injunctions, and people subject to other legal disabilities. Restoration of rights and exceptions are fact-specific.
Safe Storage Around Minors
When a person stores or leaves a loaded firearm on premises under their control and knows or reasonably should know that a minor is likely to gain access without lawful permission or required supervision, Florida law requires secure storage, a location reasonably believed to be secure, or a trigger lock—unless the firearm is carried on the body or kept within similarly close reach.