Concealed carry refers to carrying a weapon in public, but in a way that it is not visible to others. Examples could be a gun in a purse or hidden behind loose-fitting clothing.
Florida Concealed Weapons License
In order to legally carry a concealed weapon in Florida, you must have a Florida Concealed Weapons License.
To apply for this license, you must meet certain requirements:
- The applicant must be at least 21 years of age
- The applicant must be a US citizen or permanent resident alien
- The applicant must have completed a required firearm training course
If the applicant is a member of the military or was honorably discharged, the requirement of the training course is waived.
Everyone who applies for a Florida Concealed Weapons License goes through a background check to ensure they don’t have any past criminal offenses that would disqualify them from getting a license.
Convicted Felons
Anyone who has been convicted of a felony is automatically ineligible for a concealed carry permit in Florida.
Additionally, anyone who has been convicted of a violent misdemeanor is also ineligible until at least three years have passed since the completion of their probation or other conditions of their sentence.
Can I Carry a Concealed Weapon Anywhere in Florida?
Even with a concealed weapons license, there are locations where it is illegal to bring a weapon.
These include:
- A courthouse
- A prison or jail
- A police department
- Polling places
- An airport
- Schools and colleges
- Government meetings
I’m From Out-of-State, Can I Carry a Concealed Weapon in Florida?
If you have a concealed carry permit from your home state and are visiting Florida, you may be wondering if you are still legally allowed to carry a weapon.
This answer depends on what state your permit is from. Florida recognizes concealed carry weapons (CCW) licenses from other states with whom Florida has a reciprocity agreement. Make sure to do your research ahead of time to confirm that your CCW license is accepted in Florida.
Miami Weapons Charge Attorneys
If you carry a concealed firearm without the proper license, you could be facing felony charges and significant jail time. At Hager & Schwartz, P.A., we can help defend you against your weapons charges. Give us a call today at (305) 330-1360 to get started on your case.