Florida gun laws are always changing, and it’s your responsibility to know what the rules are.
Ignorance of the law isn’t a good defense if you find yourself in legal trouble. Make sure you know the most up-to-date and accurate gun laws in Florida if you are planning to buy or carry a gun in the state.
Florida Gun Laws: What You Need to Know
In Florida, firearm laws are controlled at the state level. Cities and counties cannot create their own gun regulations, so laws are consistent across the state. Here are the laws you need to know if you are a gun owner or traveling to Florida with a gun in 2026.
Owning Firearms
No permit is required to own a firearm in Florida, and guns do not need to be registered. It is legal for individuals 18 and older to own firearms. Restrictions on gun ownership exist for felons and some domestic violence offenders.
Buying Firearms
Individuals must be 21 to purchase a firearm in Florida. An exception is that law enforcement officers and correctional officers are able to purchase firearms at 18. (As of February 2026, the Florida legislature is working toward legalizing the purchase of long guns, which include rifles/shotguns, for individuals 18 and up.)
Florida does not require a permit to purchase a firearm. Individuals are required to fill out a background check (ATF Form 4473) when purchasing a firearm from a licensed dealer. Florida does not require background checks when guns are purchased through private sales (not from a licensed dealer). Most gun purchases require a mandatory waiting period (at least three days or until the background check clears, whichever is longer).
You must be a Florida resident to purchase a handgun in Florida. Long guns may be purchased by persons who are residents of other states if the sale complies with applicable laws in the purchaser’s state of residence.
Storing Firearms
If a minor under 16 can access a loaded firearm, it must be kept in a securely locked container and stored in a location that a reasonable person would believe to be secure.
Carrying Firearms in Public
Florida is an open-carry state. Individuals can visibly carry firearms, and they do not need a permit to carry a firearm (if they are legally allowed to own the gun), with some restrictions.
It is illegal to carry firearms in restricted areas such as:
- Schools and college campuses
- Courtrooms
- Polling places
- Government meetings
- Airports (beyond security)
- Bars (in some cases)
- Private property where guns are banned by the owner
Florida became an open-carry state in 2025 when a court ruled the open-carry ban unconstitutional, and the Florida Attorney General declared open-carry legal statewide.
Driving with Firearms
In Florida, it is legal to drive with a firearm in your vehicle. You do not need a license, but the firearm must be securely encased and/or not readily accessible for immediate use. For a gun to be securely encased, it must be in a snap holster, gun case, closed container, or glove compartment.
Traveling to Florida with Firearms
Visitors to Florida are legally permitted to possess firearms and carry without a permit as long as they are not prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm under state or federal law. Even if your home state has different carry laws, once you are in Florida, Florida law controls.
If driving to Florida, the firearm must be securely encased or not readily accessible for immediate use. If you fly into Florida, the firearm must be declared to the airline at check-in. It must be unloaded and stored in a locked, hard-sided case. Ammunition must also be properly packaged in accordance with airline and TSA rules.
Using Firearms
Florida law allows firearms to be used for lawful purposes such as self-defense, hunting, target shooting, and other legal activities. But the circumstances must meet specific legal standards.
Hunters are permitted to use firearms in specific locations and by following Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) regulations.
Discharging a firearm in prohibited areas, such as certain residential zones or public roadways, can result in criminal charges, even if the intent was recreational.
Florida has laws to protect individuals who use guns for self-defense. Florida’s “stand your ground” laws permit a person to use deadly force if they reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm. Florida law also provides additional self-defense protections inside a home or vehicle. Under these laws, the shooter must prove they reasonably believed their life was in danger.
Using a firearm can lead to serious felony charges if:
- The force was not justified
- The threat was not immediate
- The person using force was the initial aggressor
- The firearm was discharged recklessly
- The firearm was used in a prohibited location
If you are involved in a firearm discharge or self-defense situation, it is critical to understand your rights before making detailed statements to law enforcement.
Related: If You’re Arrested for a Crime, Immediately Take These 6 Steps
What Is an Open Carry Law?
Open carry means carrying a firearm in a way that is clearly visible to others, such as being worn in a visible holster on your hip or carried openly in your hand. This is different from concealed carry, where the firearm is hidden from ordinary view (for example, inside a waistband under clothing or inside a bag).
Does Florida Have an Open Carry Gun Law?
Yes. Florida permits open carry in many public areas.
In 2025, a court ruling invalidated Florida’s prior open carry ban. As a result, individuals who are legally allowed to possess a firearm may openly carry in most public places without a permit.
However, open carry is not unlimited. Firearms remain prohibited in certain locations such as schools, college campuses, government buildings, airports, and private property.
What If I’m Charged with Gun Crimes in Florida?
If you have been arrested on weapons charges, talk to an attorney right away.
An experienced criminal defense attorney can help you understand if you broke any Florida gun laws, and if so, what you can do to fight or reduce the charges.
Gun crimes are serious. Don’t ignore your case and hope it will go away. Schedule your free consultation with TJ Grimaldi to start your defense case right now. Call 813-226-1023 or contact us today.