Florida
PermitlessFlorida concealed carry & gun laws.
Open carry, sensitive places, vehicle carry, reciprocity, and recent law changes — all in one place, with official sources cited.
Key facts
Open carry in Florida
Florida generally PROHIBITS open carry of firearms. Limited exceptions exist for: lawful hunting, fishing, camping, target shooting, and traveling to/from those activities. Recent 2025 legislative push to allow open carry has not become law as of May 2026 — verify current status.
Vehicle carry
Florida law permits a firearm to be carried in a private conveyance without a permit if it is securely encased OR otherwise not 'readily accessible.' Loaded handgun in glove box or center console with permitless carry (HB 543, 2023) is now permitted for those 21+ eligible to possess.
Where you can't carry — sensitive places
These are the statutory locations where Florida prohibits carry regardless of permit status. Federal facility bans (post offices, federal courthouses, etc.) apply on top of these.
- K-12 schools and school grounds
- Higher-education campuses (with limited exceptions)
- Courthouses and adjacent buildings
- Polling places
- Government meetings of legislative or governing body
- Bars (any place primarily devoted to dispensing alcohol)
- Police, sheriff, or highway patrol stations
- Detention facilities, prisons, jails
- Career centers
- Places of nuisance (Florida Statute § 823.05)
- Airport passenger terminals (sterile areas)
- School athletic events
Self-defense law
- Castle doctrine: Florida recognizes castle doctrine — no duty to retreat in your home (and typically vehicle/workplace).
- Stand your ground: Florida has a stand-your-ground law — no duty to retreat in any place you are lawfully present, when meeting the use-of-force criteria.
- Duty to inform on traffic stops: Not required by statute.
Recent law changes
- 2023-07-01 — Permitless concealed carry — HB 543. Florida became a permitless carry state for residents and qualifying non-residents 21+ eligible to possess a firearm. CWL remains available for reciprocity and discount on Form 4473 background check delays. Source →
Reciprocity — your Florida permit elsewhere
A Florida Concealed Weapon License (CWL) is honored in approximately 37 states. See the full list and travel-route planning on our Can I Carry tool.
Reciprocity — other states' permits in Florida
Permitless carry effective July 1, 2023 for residents and non-residents 21+. Florida CWL is one of the most widely-honored permits (37+ states).
How to get a Florida Concealed Weapon License (CWL)
See our Florida permit guide for full process details: required class, fingerprinting, application form, fee, and processing time.
Next step
See where your permit travels.
Use our interactive Can I Carry map to plan trips across state lines — including states that recognize your permit, states that don't, and states with permitless carry for visitors.
Check reciprocity →Sources
Frequently asked
Do I need a permit to carry concealed in Florida?
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No. Florida is a permitless / constitutional carry state for residents and (in most cases) non-residents 21+ who are eligible to legally possess a firearm. A Concealed Weapon License (CWL) is still useful for reciprocity in other states, expedited NICS processing, and (in some states) school-zone exceptions.
Is open carry legal in Florida?
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Florida generally prohibits open carry. Florida generally PROHIBITS open carry of firearms. Limited exceptions exist for: lawful hunting, fishing, camping, target shooting, and traveling to/from those activities. Recent 2025 legislative push to allow open carry has not become law as of May 2026 — verify current status.
Can I keep a loaded handgun in my car in Florida?
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Florida law permits a firearm to be carried in a private conveyance without a permit if it is securely encased OR otherwise not 'readily accessible.' Loaded handgun in glove box or center console with permitless carry (HB 543, 2023) is now permitted for those 21+ eligible to possess.
Where am I prohibited from carrying in Florida?
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Statutory sensitive places in Florida include: K-12 schools and school grounds, Higher-education campuses (with limited exceptions), Courthouses and adjacent buildings, Polling places, Government meetings of legislative or governing body, and others. Federal facility bans (post offices, federal buildings, schools under GFSZA) apply on top.
Does Florida have stand-your-ground or castle doctrine?
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Castle doctrine: yes. Stand your ground: yes. Duty to inform on traffic stops: not required.
What's the most recent Florida gun law change?
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2023-07-01: Permitless concealed carry — HB 543. Florida became a permitless carry state for residents and qualifying non-residents 21+ eligible to possess a firearm. CWL remains available for reciprocity and discount on Form 4473 background check delays.
Where can I carry my Florida permit?
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A Florida Concealed Weapon License (CWL) is honored in approximately 37 other states. See our Can I Carry interactive map for the full state-by-state breakdown plus travel-route planning.