Possessing a handgun in Florida

stargazer65 · November 3, 2010, 01:31 PM

Florida does not recognize my CT permit or my non-resident PA permit. However, when I am in Florida, do they have any state laws prohibiting my possessing an unloaded handgun locked in a container?

Note I am not talking about the Federal statute which allows transportation through a state. I plan to be there for several days, so I can't be considered as passing through.

g.willikers · November 3, 2010, 02:18 PM

Florida law allows Loaded guns in the car, as long as it's in a closed case, glovebox, center console, 'etc.
Doesn't even have to be a locked case, just closed and latched or zipped.
Even a holster that requires some kind of physical action to remove the gun qualifies.
But only in the car, not walking around with it.
No restrictions in your hotel room or house.
No open carry, yet.
The land of the free, almost.

stargazer65 · November 3, 2010, 03:04 PM

That shows the difference in thinking between people like me from New England and people in the more reasonable South. I originally assumed that just because I couldn't legally CCW in Florida, I couldn't have a gun in my personal property at all. Which is the case in CT with handguns, if it's not in your house you can't have it without a permit, loaded, unloaded doesn't matter. I could be arrested just for having an unloaded handgun in the trunk of my car without my permit even if it was brand new, in the box, unloaded and never used.

It's a paradigm shift for me to think that a state allows something that I haven't gotten explict permission for via the required forms, fees, training, and wait. I just realized this today, it's interesting and somewhat sad, I've been brainwashed by my environment into a false assumption.

highvel · November 3, 2010, 07:39 PM

A number of years ago their crime rate and attacks on tourists were getting out of control, crime rates have fallen since easing firearms restrictions, of course!

hogdogs · November 3, 2010, 08:06 PM

Not only loaded but round chambered!
You can literally have a holstered gun stuck 'tween the seat and console or under the seat... It can be ANYWHERE EXCEPT ON YOUR PERSON in the vehicle!
If on your person you MUST have the permit.

The only caveat is it must not be readily visible! Something about inciting fear...

Brent

bubba15301 · November 5, 2010, 08:00 PM

get a florida non resident license.then you wont have to worry about it

Jimmy10mm · November 5, 2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

The only caveat is it must not be readily visible! Something about inciting fear...

I believe they call it 'reckless display of a firearm', but I might be wrong.

Don P · November 6, 2010, 12:22 PM

Some of the folks are correct and some are ill informed. FLA law states you may have the gun it the vehicle loaded and it must be in a compartment with the lid/door closed. As stated console/glove box. In a holster under the seat is in violation of FLA law unless it is a snapped holster. This gentleman's book is a wealth of information,
http://www.floridafirearmslaw.com/ I do recommend this book
you can also look at the states web site here,http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/index.html

and here the state firearm statutes,http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/ind...tring=firearms

November 3, 2010, 01:31 PM	#1
stargazer65 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 761	Possessing a handgun in Florida Florida does not recognize my CT permit or my non-resident PA permit. However, when I am in Florida, do they have any state laws prohibiting my possessing an unloaded handgun locked in a container? Note I am not talking about the Federal statute which allows transportation through a state. I plan to be there for several days, so I can't be considered as passing through. __________________ "I assert that nothing ever comes to pass without a cause." Jonathan Edwards

November 3, 2010, 02:18 PM	#2
g.willikers Senior Member Join Date: September 28, 2008 Posts: 10,442	Florida law allows Loaded guns in the car, as long as it's in a closed case, glovebox, center console, 'etc. Doesn't even have to be a locked case, just closed and latched or zipped. Even a holster that requires some kind of physical action to remove the gun qualifies. But only in the car, not walking around with it. No restrictions in your hotel room or house. No open carry, yet. The land of the free, almost. Last edited by g.willikers; November 3, 2010 at 02:24 PM.

November 3, 2010, 03:04 PM	#3
stargazer65 Senior Member Join Date: April 6, 2009 Location: Connecticut Posts: 761	That shows the difference in thinking between people like me from New England and people in the more reasonable South. I originally assumed that just because I couldn't legally CCW in Florida, I couldn't have a gun in my personal property at all. Which is the case in CT with handguns, if it's not in your house you can't have it without a permit, loaded, unloaded doesn't matter. I could be arrested just for having an unloaded handgun in the trunk of my car without my permit even if it was brand new, in the box, unloaded and never used. It's a paradigm shift for me to think that a state allows something that I haven't gotten explict permission for via the required forms, fees, training, and wait. I just realized this today, it's interesting and somewhat sad, I've been brainwashed by my environment into a false assumption. __________________ "I assert that nothing ever comes to pass without a cause." Jonathan Edwards

November 3, 2010, 07:39 PM	#4
highvel Senior Member Join Date: January 21, 2010 Location: Powhatan VA Posts: 633	A number of years ago their crime rate and attacks on tourists were getting out of control, crime rates have fallen since easing firearms restrictions, of course! __________________ Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.--Mark Twain "I have opinions of my own 'strong opinions' but I don't always agree with them."--George Bush

November 6, 2010, 12:22 PM	#8
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	Some of the folks are correct and some are ill informed. FLA law states you may have the gun it the vehicle loaded and it must be in a compartment with the lid/door closed. As stated console/glove box. In a holster under the seat is in violation of FLA law unless it is a snapped holster. This gentleman's book is a wealth of information, http://www.floridafirearmslaw.com/ I do recommend this book you can also look at the states web site here,http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/weapons/index.html and here the state firearm statutes,http://www.flsenate.gov/statutes/ind...tring=firearms __________________ *NRA Life Member, NRA Chief Range Safety Officer, NRA Certified Pistol Instructor,, USPSA & Steel Challange NROI Range Officer, ICORE Range Officer, ,MAG 40 Graduate* *As you are, I once was, As I am, You will be.* Last edited by Don P; November 6, 2010 at 12:31 PM.

November 3, 2010, 08:06 PM	#5
hogdogs Staff In Memoriam Join Date: October 31, 2007 Location: Western Florida panhandle Posts: 11,069	Not only loaded but round chambered! You can literally have a holstered gun stuck 'tween the seat and console or under the seat... It can be ANYWHERE EXCEPT ON YOUR PERSON in the vehicle! If on your person you MUST have the permit. The only caveat is it must not be readily visible! Something about inciting fear... Brent

November 5, 2010, 08:00 PM	#6
bubba15301 Member Join Date: May 10, 2009 Location: pa Posts: 75	get a florida non resident license.then you wont have to worry about it

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