Florida Concealed Carry Reciprocity
If you are planning to travel to the Sunshine State with your firearm, it is important that you know how to legally transport a firearm in Florida. Florida has reciprocity agreements with bordering states, Georgia and Alabama, as well as thirty-four other states. A reciprocity agreement means that the State of Florida will recognize the concealed carry license from the reciprocal state and that state will recognize Florida’s concealed weapons license. Both those with and those without a concealed carry license can possess a firearm in the State of Florida as long as they are not otherwise prohibited from carrying a firearm.
Can You Carry a Gun in Your Car in Florida?
Even if you do not have a concealed weapons license, you can still have your firearm in your vehicle, and loaded with one in the chamber. However, the firearm must be securely encased. To comply with the law, the firearm must be in a closed container such as a closed glove box, center console, a holster that buckles the firearm in, or a gun case. A pressure holster, from which one only needs to pull the firearm, does not comply with Florida law. You may not carry your firearm outside of your vehicle except for a few limited activities, such as going to the range to shoot, if you do not have a concealed carry license.
If you do have a concealed carry license, you can carry concealed anywhere in your vehicle, including on your person. The only requirement is that the firearm be concealed. Further, you can freely carry concealed in most public areas of the state with some common exceptions such as school property, courthouses, airports, jails, polling places, etc. Further, you can carry in state and federal parks in Florida with the exception being that you may not carry inside buildings located in federal parks. Private property owners, including hotels and motels, can also prohibit the carrying of a firearm on their property.
Florida Concealed Carry Laws
There is no specific signage required in Florida to prohibit the carrying of a firearm, nor is there any case telling us if the posting of a sign with a picture of a gun with an “X” or a line through it is sufficient. Florida law only requires that you have knowledge that the property owner does not want you carrying on their property. If you know this and you enter the property, or fail to leave when asked, you can be arrested and charged with trespassing or armed trespassing, which is a felony. All theme parks in Florida prohibit the carrying of a firearm on their property.
Although you can carry a firearm into an establishment that serves alcohol, you cannot carry in a bar or bar portion of the restaurant. In Florida, it is legal to consume alcohol, even to the point of intoxication, while carrying your firearm. However, you cannot be impaired and have your firearm readily accessible for immediate discharge unless you are using it in self-defense. Readily accessible for immediate discharge is defined as “loaded and in your hand.”
Florida Open Carry Law
Florida does not allow open carry of a firearm except under a few very limited exceptions. You can open carry on your own private property where your home is located. You can also open carry while traveling directly to or from or are engaged in fishing, hunting, or camping.
The reciprocity laws often change. Before traveling to Florida, visit the Department of Agriculture’s website for up-to-date information. If you have any questions about traveling with your firearm or whether another state recognizes your state’s concealed carry license, call U.S. LawShield and ask to speak to an Independent Program Attorney.
Your Protection Starts Here!
There’s nothing more important than protecting yourself and your family. By joining our community of members, you can count on our self-defense coverage, with meaningful options and benefits that make a real difference.
Thank you for all the information regarding firearms in Florida
My father in law passed away In florida and left two register firearms now my mother in law has given them to me I live in texas and don’t have a gun permit can I travel across country with them or what can I do
You’re best bet is to double check the laws for all the states you would pass through regarding “transporting a firearm”. That will make sure you know if you have to move a firearm from your backseat to your trunk or if they all have to be in a gun case. If a state has restrictions that makes it too awful to travel through you can just go around it. Also I would look up laws regarding taking firearms across state lines just to be safe.
Good Luck!
Driving- Make sure the guns are unloaded. Put gun locks on and/or put handguns in a lock box. Leave ammo behind but if you do bring it, put guns in trunk+ammo in back of car so they are separated. If you are stopped for any reason let the cop know you have unloaded guns in the trunk. Checking state laws is a very good idea.
Airplane- you can check guns. check with the airline
I have a CWP from SC. Can I drive through Ga into Fla with my weapon concealed on my person or do I have to have it secured in my glove box or trunk. When in FLA can I carry on my person as long as it is concealed
Hello! I’m moving from New Jersey to Florida and trying to figure out how I can physically and formally transfer my 9mm handgun without any issues.
I do not have a permit. My car has a small glove box on the divers side to the left of the steering wheel. It has a door that closes shut. Wile I understand that I can use the passenger side glove box, can I use my drivers side? Or is that too easily accessible?
My CCW instructor made a good point – he said wherever you decide to store it in your car, do NOT put it in the same place as your registration. That way reaching for your registration can’t be misconstrued as you reaching for your gun. Good advice I’d say.
“Florida does not allow open carry of a firearm except under a few very limited exceptions. You can open carry on your own private property. You can also open carry while traveling directly to or from or are engaged in fishing, hunting, or camping.”
I do not believe that you may open carry on your own private property.
Is this Robert macfarlane at falcon lake lol Rickey brown here.
Yes you most certainly CAN open carry on your own private property!
If you have a GA concealed weapon permit can you open carry in FL
No you cannot I have checked according to Florida Highway patrol and local authorties. Florida does not have open carry therefore you cannot. However Florida residents can open carry only on their property where their house is located, engaged in fishing, camping and hunting are going to and from hunting ,fishing and camping
I leave in Texas and have a concealed weapons permit from texas. I’m going to Florida to pick up a weapon that will be given to me from a widow who’s husband pass. Can I travel with gun from Florida through texas?
I live on 5 acres and I was reading the above on open carry on private property. I have read some reports that you can open carry and some say you cannot, just like above. Does anyone know for sure which is correct? I want to make sure I am in compliance if I do open carry on my property. Thank You!!
You can open carry on private property and while participating in “exception activities” defined in chapter 790 Florida statutes.
I am traveling from GA to FL with my AR-15 and Short barrel shotgun, which I have a traveling bag for them. This will be placed in my trunk of my car and I have both GA and FL CWL. Do I need to be concern, while I am traveling?
no
Yes. Short barrel guns are a felony to possess in Florida. Leave the shotty at home unless the barrel is long enough. Just google legal barrel length for fl
My Wife and I are moving from Ct. to southwest Fla. in a month and will be bringing my legaly owned hand guns and “assalt” style semi-auto riffels with 5000 round of various calibers. I am renting a small U-Hall and driving.How should I go about this legaly
I leave in Texas and have a concealed weapons permit from texas. I’m going to Florida to pick up a weapon that will be given to me from a widow who’s husband pass. Can I travel with gun from Florida through texas?
I am House Hunting in Florida. I have a PA CCW . Can I carry in Florida?
My family and I are flying down to FL for a vocation and driving back home to MN. I have a MN permit to carry. I’m am able to bring my firearm with me to FL?
This article states that you can open carry on the private property of your residence. However, it does not cite the Florida Statute, and I have not yet seen one that is clear. Can anyone confirm the Florida statute to open carry on your property, such as your front lawn? I do not know which is more complicated and fluid, gun laws or tax laws. Geez!!
I do not have a car or ccw. Can I make a reservation at the range and take the bus or train to the gun range and carry my gun in a backpack?
I live and Florida I want to travel to Texas can take my 3 hand guns and ar15 with me
This was an interesting read. How does it work with private bussing companies though? Lines like Red Coach- can they make their own rules?
How does this change now that Georgia has constitutional carry? Can a resident of Georgia conceal carry in Florida since they are no longer required to have a conceal permit? Would be easier if FL would adopt constitutional carry.
I live in Florida. I own a handgun but do not have a CCW license. I will travel by car with the gun in a holster and in the glovebox, especially when visiting a large city and staying in a hotel. How do I comply with the law when transporting the weapon back and forth from my apartment to the vehicle or from my vehicle to a motel room?
I prefer motels with outside access to the door. What if the hotel has only interior access to the door?
Is the law different if I owned a home and was on my private property?
I know the exception for hunting, fishing and camping; can I open carry while hiking on a remote trail on private property? or what about a county or state park / forest?
All the best,
Evan Douglas