Florida residence law

nycmike718 · September 16, 2011, 11:40 AM

How long do you have to wait before you can purchase a handgun when first moving to Florida? I read somewhere you have to be a resident for at least 5 months, is this true?

graysmoke · September 16, 2011, 12:03 PM

If you have a VALID FLORIDA DRIVERS LICENSE you can purchase a handgun in Florida.
And must be an U.S. Citizen. With no criminal record.

Microgunner · September 16, 2011, 12:05 PM

You must have established residency for at least 90 days. IIRC.

Gary Slider · September 16, 2011, 12:16 PM

Microgunner,

Can you point to where you obtained the 90 days. I am very much interested in this as I can't find it in FL law and I want to make sure I have the Handgunlaw.us FL page correct. Any help you could give me on this would be appreciated.

Microgunner · September 16, 2011, 02:50 PM

Try as I might I couldn't find anything to cite. As a FFL dealer we have been told during many inspections that the buyers ID must be at least 90 days old in order to receive a firearm.
I don't know if this is law or simply "policy".
We've been told to do many things by authorities that I've never been able to find written law confirming.

Gary Slider · September 16, 2011, 02:54 PM

Understand completely. Thank you.

Microgunner · September 16, 2011, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by graysmoke

If you have a VALID FLORIDA DRIVERS LICENSE you can purchase a handgun in Florida.
And must be an U.S. Citizen. With no criminal record.

You do not have to be a US citizen to purchase a handgun in Fl.
Resident aliens and even in some cases non-resident aliens can also legally purchase handguns and long guns in Florida.

nycmike718 · September 16, 2011, 04:23 PM

Thanks for the info.

oneounceload · September 16, 2011, 07:41 PM

Get your Fl CCW and then buy what you want - even as a non-resident - we're easy - snow birds buy guns all the time

nycmike718 · September 16, 2011, 07:58 PM

Hold on, so I can get a FL CCW as a New York Resident? I used to live in Kissimmee and still have family down there and visit allot. It would be nice to go the range when I visit. I know that it would mean nothing in NYC but would be nice to have.

oneounceload · September 16, 2011, 08:04 PM

FL and Utah have more non-resident CCWs issued than any other states

nycmike718 · September 16, 2011, 08:06 PM

Wow thanks. I plan on moving back to Florida soon anyway, but if I can get it now, that's great. Thanks.

nycmike718 · September 16, 2011, 09:20 PM

So all I have to do is take the CCW course in FL.?

Microgunner · September 17, 2011, 08:13 AM

A Swiss friend who used to vacation in the US for 6 weeks every year had a Florida CCW. They're available to any law abiding human.

Microgunner · September 17, 2011, 08:14 AM

Quote:

So all I have to do is take the CCW course in FL.?

Don't even need to do that if you're a veteran with your DD214 or possess a valid hunter's safety course certificate.

alland · September 17, 2011, 01:06 PM

"You must have established residency for at least 90 days. IIRC."

The 90 day residency requirement applies to resident aliens.

blume357 · September 21, 2011, 08:49 AM

I could be wrong here... but I think the only thing the Florida non resident CWP will get you is no delay in purchasing a handgun...which would still need to be shipped to a FFL in your resident state for you to go and pick up, fill out a ATF form...then they would have to ...... well that don't work... never mind....

so I guess a non resident Florida permit might help with buying a long gun from a FFL.

Don P · September 21, 2011, 10:50 AM

I would think that there is a wait period. Reading some of the replies so far does this make any sense.
I move to FLA from (wherever) get a drivers license go buy a gun and then go right back to where I originally came from perhaps NYC or maybe DC where buying guns is a royal pain.

After looking into the state statutes, agriculture site, and Mr. Gutmachers book I have not found any restrictions as far as a waiting period after becoming a resident of FLA. to purchase a firearm

MLeake · September 21, 2011, 11:02 AM

I don't recall a 90 day period for Florida or GA. In GA, we needed a utility bill to get a DL.

WA had a 90 day requirement, when I was stationed there.

cow0man · September 26, 2011, 08:02 PM

Not sure of the residency length in order to purchase, but you must be a Fl resident and have a Fl address. I attempted to purchase my last trip to Fl and was not allowed to. I am a Fl resident, but live out of state on military orders. Next trip, I will have a Fl CCW, not sure how that impact a purchase or not.

MLeake · September 26, 2011, 08:13 PM

When I was active, I kept my Florida residency, and (when assigned out of state) used my Home of Record, which was my parents' address. Never had any problems buying in Florida, cow0man. What address do you have on your DL?

cow0man · September 27, 2011, 10:03 AM

I have a Fl address on my DL, but told the merchant my current mailing address. I do not have family in Fl, but could use a friends address if necessary. If the Fl CCW has an address on it (will find out when it arrives in the mail today or tomorrow) it will show an out of state address.

Don P · September 27, 2011, 12:29 PM

Quote:

If the Fl CCW has an address on it (will find out when it arrives in the mail today or tomorrow) it will show an out of state address

I am going out on a limb here and saying that it most probably will be like my resident permit and it has the name and address on top, and is the new permit that is now issued for 7 years

natman · September 28, 2011, 02:59 AM

1) You will have to prove FL residency to buy a handgun in FL.

From form 4473:

Quote:

1. KNOW YOUR CUSTOMER: Before a licensee may sell or deliver a firearm to a nonlicensee, the licensee must establish the identity, place of residence, and age of the buyer. The buyer must provide a valid government-issued photo identification to the seller that contains the buyer’s name, residence address, and date of birth.

2) So you'll need a FL ID.

3) This will mean meeting FL requirements:
http://www.gathergoget.com/
Which for a new resident will probably include getting a utility bill in your name. That may take a few weeks.

Then once you have all the required documents, you have to wait for the FL DMV to actually issue an ID. Temporary IDs are not acceptable for gun purchases. You have to have the real McCoy.

oneounceload · September 28, 2011, 10:25 AM

Without a valid FL CCW, there is a three day waiting period when buying a handgun for those legally able to buy said gun.

September 16, 2011, 11:40 AM	#1
nycmike718 Member Join Date: September 15, 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 17	Florida residence law How long do you have to wait before you can purchase a handgun when first moving to Florida? I read somewhere you have to be a resident for at least 5 months, is this true?

September 16, 2011, 12:03 PM	#2
graysmoke Senior Member Join Date: August 25, 2011 Location: Tennessee Posts: 378	If you have a VALID FLORIDA DRIVERS LICENSE you can purchase a handgun in Florida. And must be an U.S. Citizen. With no criminal record. __________________ "Keep your powder dry, and eyes on the target". -R. Lee Ermey Last edited by graysmoke; September 16, 2011 at 12:11 PM.

September 16, 2011, 12:05 PM	#3
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	You must have established residency for at least 90 days. IIRC. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

September 16, 2011, 12:16 PM	#4
Gary Slider Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2006 Location: New Martinsville, WV Posts: 432	Microgunner, Can you point to where you obtained the 90 days. I am very much interested in this as I can't find it in FL law and I want to make sure I have the Handgunlaw.us FL page correct. Any help you could give me on this would be appreciated. __________________ ___________ Gary Slider Co-Owner Handgunlaw.us Member Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network.

September 16, 2011, 02:50 PM	#5
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	Try as I might I couldn't find anything to cite. As a FFL dealer we have been told during many inspections that the buyers ID must be at least 90 days old in order to receive a firearm. I don't know if this is law or simply "policy". We've been told to do many things by authorities that I've never been able to find written law confirming. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

September 16, 2011, 02:54 PM	#6
Gary Slider Senior Member Join Date: October 10, 2006 Location: New Martinsville, WV Posts: 432	Understand completely. Thank you. __________________ ___________ Gary Slider Co-Owner Handgunlaw.us Member Armed Citizens Legal Defense Network.

September 16, 2011, 04:23 PM	#8
nycmike718 Member Join Date: September 15, 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 17	Thanks for the info.

September 16, 2011, 07:41 PM	#9
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Get your Fl CCW and then buy what you want - even as a non-resident - we're easy - snow birds buy guns all the time

September 16, 2011, 07:58 PM	#10
nycmike718 Member Join Date: September 15, 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 17	Hold on, so I can get a FL CCW as a New York Resident? I used to live in Kissimmee and still have family down there and visit allot. It would be nice to go the range when I visit. I know that it would mean nothing in NYC but would be nice to have.

September 16, 2011, 08:04 PM	#11
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	FL and Utah have more non-resident CCWs issued than any other states

September 16, 2011, 08:06 PM	#12
nycmike718 Member Join Date: September 15, 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 17	Wow thanks. I plan on moving back to Florida soon anyway, but if I can get it now, that's great. Thanks.

September 16, 2011, 09:20 PM	#13
nycmike718 Member Join Date: September 15, 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 17	So all I have to do is take the CCW course in FL.?

September 17, 2011, 08:13 AM	#14
Microgunner Senior Member Join Date: March 6, 2006 Location: Central Florida Posts: 3,324	A Swiss friend who used to vacation in the US for 6 weeks every year had a Florida CCW. They're available to any law abiding human. __________________ *Proud NRA Benefactor Member*

September 17, 2011, 01:06 PM	#16
alland Member Join Date: December 23, 2009 Posts: 35	"You must have established residency for at least 90 days. IIRC." The 90 day residency requirement applies to resident aliens.

September 21, 2011, 08:49 AM	#17
blume357 Senior Member Join Date: August 2, 2005 Location: Greenville, SC Posts: 3,943	I could be wrong here... but I think the only thing the Florida non resident CWP will get you is no delay in purchasing a handgun...which would still need to be shipped to a FFL in your resident state for you to go and pick up, fill out a ATF form...then they would have to ...... well that don't work... never mind.... so I guess a non resident Florida permit might help with buying a long gun from a FFL.

September 21, 2011, 10:50 AM	#18
Don P Senior Member Join Date: December 17, 2005 Location: Swamp dweller Posts: 6,187	I would think that there is a wait period. Reading some of the replies so far does this make any sense. I move to FLA from (wherever) get a drivers license go buy a gun and then go right back to where I originally came from perhaps NYC or maybe DC where buying guns is a royal pain. After looking into the state statutes, agriculture site, and Mr. Gutmachers book I have not found any restrictions as far as a waiting period after becoming a resident of FLA. to purchase a firearm __________________ *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; September 21, 2011 at 11:19 AM. Reason: Added info

September 21, 2011, 11:02 AM	#19
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	I don't recall a 90 day period for Florida or GA. In GA, we needed a utility bill to get a DL. WA had a 90 day requirement, when I was stationed there.

September 26, 2011, 08:02 PM	#20
cow0man Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 16	Not sure of the residency length in order to purchase, but you must be a Fl resident and have a Fl address. I attempted to purchase my last trip to Fl and was not allowed to. I am a Fl resident, but live out of state on military orders. Next trip, I will have a Fl CCW, not sure how that impact a purchase or not.

September 26, 2011, 08:13 PM	#21
MLeake Senior Member Join Date: November 15, 2007 Location: Outside KC, MO Posts: 10,128	When I was active, I kept my Florida residency, and (when assigned out of state) used my Home of Record, which was my parents' address. Never had any problems buying in Florida, cow0man. What address do you have on your DL?

September 27, 2011, 10:03 AM	#22
cow0man Member Join Date: August 9, 2011 Posts: 16	I have a Fl address on my DL, but told the merchant my current mailing address. I do not have family in Fl, but could use a friends address if necessary. If the Fl CCW has an address on it (will find out when it arrives in the mail today or tomorrow) it will show an out of state address.

September 28, 2011, 10:25 AM	#25
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Without a valid FL CCW, there is a three day waiting period when buying a handgun for those legally able to buy said gun.