Gun laws in the state of Florida regulate the sale possession and use of firearms and ammunition. Florida’s laws regarding concealed carry and stand-your-ground provisions have been a common reference among gun control debates in the past few years. Primarily, state laws pertaining to handguns have been discussed and criticized, largely in part to high-profile shooting cases such as the controversial 2012 fatal shooting of Treyvon Martin. The shooter, George Zimmerman, possessed a concealed-carry weapons (CCW) permit and was acquitted of all charges.
4 Focal Points of Florida Handgun Laws
Most of Florida’s gun laws do not discern between long guns (rifles, shotguns) and handguns. However, handguns are more easily concealed and transported, making them the primary focus of most state gun laws.
- Florida residents must be 21 years old to purchase and 18 years old to possess a handgun
- Residents age 21 or older may apply for a license to carry a concealed weapon (CCW) or firearm provided they have no felony or violent crime convictions and are mentally competent
- Handgun owners not possessing a valid CCW may carry their weapon in their car/vehicle provided it is securely encased (holster/case) or stored in a closed container, such as the glove compartment or center console
- Florida “stand your ground” law states that, if attacked, an individual may:
- “Meet force with force, including deadly force if he or she reasonably believes it is necessary to do so to prevent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the commission of a forcible felony.”
5 Florida Handgun Statistics
- 75% of all Florida homicides are committed with firearms
- In 2012, Florida was the first state to reach 1,000,000 CCW permits issued to residents
- At least 80% of deaths resulting from the accidental discharge of a firearm occur within the home of the gun owner
- Florida gun violence has declined by 33% from 2007 to 2013…violent crime also declined by 26% in the same time period
- 99.3% of Florida residents live within 10 miles of a licensed handgun retailer
5 Tips for Handgun Safety
The laws in Florida and several other states make handguns widely accessible to law-abiding citizens. A thorough understanding of safe practices can help to ensure incident-free gun ownership and safe recreational shooting.
- Treat all handguns as if they are loaded. Teach kids never to touch a gun and to tell an adult immediately whenever they see one.
- Never point a handgun at anything until you intend to shoot. Distant observers may misinterpret your actions and could perceive someone who is just “checking the sights” to be an immediate threat to others.
- Keep your finger off of the trigger and outside of the trigger guard until ready to shoot. The leading cause of accidental handgun discharge among adult shooters is activating the trigger prematurely.
- Keep all handguns under lock and key (secured) or use trigger locks whenever the gun is not in use. This is especially important for homes with children under Florida’s child access prevention gun laws.
- Keep your handgun unloaded whenever it is not in use or in storage, even if the gun is secured or locked up.
References:
The Florida Senate – https://flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2012/Chapter790
The Huffington Post – https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/13/florida-gun-dealers-outnumber-post-offices_n_2868808.html
Police One (.com) – https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/13/florida-gun-dealers-outnumber-post-offices_n_2868808.html
