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Carrying a Concealed Firearm Without a Permit in Florida: Laws, Penalties and Defense

Carrying a Concealed Firearm Without a Permit in Florida: Laws, Penalties and Defense

Florida’s gun laws allow people to openly buy and own firearms – but carrying a concealed firearm without a permit has been illegal. That’s changing on July 1, 2023, when a new law goes into effect allowing permitless concealed carry in Florida.So what’s the deal with concealed carry in Florida now? Can you conceal a gun anywhere, or are there still restrictions? What about openly carrying – is that allowed too?I’ll walk through the new concealed carry law in Florida, what it means for gun owners, where you can and can’t carry concealed firearms, and more. I’ll also talk about defenses if you’re charged with illegal concealed carry without a permit.

What Does the New Florida Concealed Carry Law Do?

Florida’s new law, SB 150/HB 543, allows people to carry concealed firearms without needing to get a permit, background check or training

.Previously, you had to get a concealed weapons license from the state which required:

• Being at least 21 years old
• Passing a background check
• Completing a firearms training course

The new law gets rid of those requirements. Now anyone who can legally own a gun in Florida can carry it concealed without a license.The law goes into effect on July 1, 2023

.

Is Open Carry Allowed in Florida Now?

Nope! Florida’s new law only applies to concealed carry. Openly carrying firearms is still illegal here

.Open carry means the gun is visible to others – like in a holster on your hip. Concealed carry means the gun is hidden from view under clothing or in a bag.Openly carrying a firearm is a 2nd degree misdemeanor in Florida, with exceptions for things like hunting, fishing, camping, and going to/from gun ranges

.So constitutional or permitless carry only applies to concealed weapons here. No open carry for the general public.

Do I Still Need a License to Buy a Gun in Florida?

Nope, Florida doesn’t require permits or licenses just to buy guns. There’s no registration requirements either

.The new law only removes the need for a license to carry concealed firearms. Buying guns is still permit-free.

When Does Permitless Concealed Carry Start in Florida?

Florida’s new concealed carry law goes into effect on July 1, 2023

.After that date, anyone who can legally own a firearm can carry it concealed without a permit.

Do I Need to Carry ID When Concealed Carrying Now?

Yep. The new law requires anyone carrying a concealed firearm to have a valid ID with them at all times

.Law enforcement can ask to see your ID at any time if you’re carrying concealed. Not having ID on you carries a $25 fine

.

Where Can I Carry a Concealed Firearm in Florida?

The new law allows concealed carry without a permit in most places, but there are some exceptions where it’s still prohibited:

• Airports: Can’t carry past TSA checkpoints into passenger terminals or sterile areas
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• Courthouses: No concealed carry in courthouses or courtrooms
• Polling Places: No concealed firearms allowed at polling places
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• Schools/Colleges: No concealed carry on school or college campuses
• Legislative Meetings: No concealed carry at Florida legislative meetings
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• Police Stations: Can’t conceal carry in police stations
• Federal Buildings: No concealed firearms in federal buildings like post offices
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So concealed carry without a permit is allowed mostly everywhere else – stores, malls, movie theaters, restaurants, etc. Those are no longer off-limits for concealed firearms carried without licenses.

What Are the Penalties for Carrying Concealed Illegally?

If you conceal carry without a permit somewhere it’s prohibited, you could face criminal charges:

• Misdemeanor – Up to 1 year in jail and $1000 fine for carrying concealed weapons (not firearms) illegally
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• 3rd Degree Felony – Up to 5 years in prison and $5000 fine for carrying a concealed firearm illegally
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Penalties can be even higher if you’re a convicted felon carrying concealed illegally – up to 15 years in prison

.So it’s important to know the laws on where you can and can’t conceal carry without a permit. Otherwise you could end up facing serious criminal charges.

What Are Some Defenses for Illegal Concealed Carry Charges?

If you’re charged with illegally carrying a concealed firearm, there are several legal defenses that could get the charges dropped or reduced:

• No possession – Argue you never actually possessed the firearm
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• Lack of knowledge – Claim you didn’t know the firearm was there
  2
• Not concealed – Argue the firearm was visible to others (not concealed) 
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• Valid permit – Show you did have a valid CCW permit
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• Self-defense – Argue it was necessary self-defense in the moment
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• Authorized location – Prove you were carrying in a location that allows concealed firearms
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A skilled criminal defense attorney can evaluate the facts in your case and build an argument using these defenses to fight the charges.

What About Reciprocity With Other States?

Florida has reciprocity agreements with over 30 other states for concealed carry permits

.That means Florida’s concealed carry licenses are valid for carrying concealed firearms in those other states.However, the new permitless carry law only applies here in Florida. Carrying a concealed firearm in another state without a license is still illegal there, even if you’re from Florida.So while permitless concealed carry is now a thing in Florida, you’ll still need a license issued by Florida or your home Here is a 3000 word article on carrying a concealed firearm without a permit in Florida:

Carrying a Concealed Firearm Without a Permit in Florida: Laws, Penalties and Defense

Florida’s gun laws allow people to openly buy and own firearms – but carrying a concealed firearm without a permit has been illegal. That’s changing on July 1, 2023, when a new law goes into effect allowing permitless concealed carry in Florida.So what’s the deal with concealed carry in Florida now? Can you conceal a gun anywhere, or are there still restrictions? What about openly carrying – is that allowed now too?I’ll walk through the new concealed carry law in Florida, what it means for gun owners, where you can and can’t carry concealed firearms, and more. I’ll also talk about defenses if you’re charged with illegal concealed carry.

What Changed with Florida’s New Concealed Carry Law?

Florida’s new law, SB 150/HB 543, allows people to carry concealed firearms without a permit starting July 1, 2023.Previously, you needed a concealed carry license to carry hidden guns in public in Florida. That required a background check, training course, fingerprints, and fees

.The new law gets rid of those requirements. Now anyone who can legally own a gun in Florida can carry it concealed without a special permit.This is sometimes called “constitutional carry” or “permitless carry.” Over 20 states allow permitless concealed carry

.

Do I Still Need a License for Concealed Carry in Florida?

Nope! As of July 1, 2023, you won’t need a license to carry concealed firearms in Florida

.Your concealed carry license will remain valid until it expires if you already have one. But you won’t need to renew it.Licenses may still be useful for reciprocity with other states that recognize Florida’s concealed carry licenses.

What About Open Carry in Florida?

Open carry is still illegal in Florida – only concealed carry without a permit is allowed now

.Openly carrying firearms in public remains a second-degree misdemeanor in Florida. There are some exceptions like when hunting or fishing.So you can conceal carry without a permit, but don’t openly carry your firearm. Keep it hidden from public view.

Where Can You Concealed Carry Without a Permit in Florida?

The new law allows permitless concealed carry statewide, with some exceptions

:

• Courthouses – Concealed carry still prohibited
• Airports – Past TSA checkpoints prohibited
• Polling places – No firearms allowed
• Schools/colleges – Remain gun-free zones
• Government meetings – Can’t carry at city/state government meetings
• Places prohibited by federal law – Federal buildings, etc still prohibit firearms

So you can now permitless conceal carry in most public places – stores, restaurants, parks, etc. But courthouses, schools, and other sensitive places still prohibit firearms.

What About Private Business Concealed Carry?

Private businesses can prohibit concealed firearms on their property if they wish. Look for no gun signs posted on business entrances.Many big retailers like Walmart, Publix, and Target prohibit open and concealed carry in their stores nationwide. So look out for their no gun policies.

Do I Need a Permit to Buy a Gun in Florida?

Nope, Florida doesn’t require permits or registration to purchase firearms

. The new law doesn’t change that.You still need to pass an instant federal background check when buying guns from licensed dealers. But no state permit is required for purchases.

What Are the Penalties for Carrying Concealed Illegally?

If you conceal carry without a permit somewhere prohibited – like a school or airport – you could face criminal charges: