Florida carry status overview
Florida is a permitless carry state. Under HB 543, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on March 24, 2023, and effective July 1, 2023, residents and non-residents who are 21 years of age or older and legally eligible to possess a firearm may carry a concealed weapon or firearm without first obtaining a Florida Concealed Weapon License (CWL).
Florida joined 28 other states in allowing permitless carry. The underlying Florida Concealed Weapon License program was not eliminated — the CWL remains available and is strongly recommended for anyone who travels, as it is honored by 37+ other states for reciprocity purposes.
| Permitless (constitutional) carry | Yes — effective July 1, 2023 |
| Governing law | Chapter 790, Florida Statutes |
| Minimum age (permitless) | 21 years oldActive military and veterans may qualify at 18 — verify with FDACS |
| Open carry | Currently treated as lawfulPer McDaniels v. State (Fla. 1st DCA, Sept. 10, 2025) and AG guidance effective Sept. 15, 2025 — § 790.053 remains on the books but is unenforced; not yet repealed by the Legislature |
| Vehicle carry | Allowed — must be "securely encased"§ 790.25(5) — glove box, zippered bag, closed container, or snapped holster |
| Permit available | Yes — Florida CWL, issued by FDACS |
| Non-resident carry | Yes — same 21+ eligibility requirements apply |
Florida Concealed Weapon License (CWL)
Although no permit is required to carry in Florida, the Florida Concealed Weapon License (CWL) remains available and is issued by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). The CWL is strongly recommended for Florida residents who travel to other states, as it provides legal carry privileges in reciprocity states that would otherwise require a permit.
| Issuing agency | Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) |
| Application website | fdacs.gov — Concealed Weapon License |
| Minimum age | 21 (18 for active military with orders) |
| Initial fee | $97 |
| Renewal fee | $45 (every 7 years) |
| Processing time | Typically 50–90 days |
| Training required | Yes — proof of firearm safety or training course |
| Background check | Yes — FDLE and FBI |
| Validity | 7 years |
Training documentation acceptable to FDACS includes a hunter education course, NRA safety course, military service, law enforcement service, or completion of a licensed firearms instructor course. Check FDACS for the current approved list.
Vehicle carry in Florida
Florida law (§ 790.25) allows a firearm to be carried in a vehicle by any person 21 or older who is legally eligible to possess it. The firearm must be "securely encased" — a term defined by Florida law to mean enclosed in a glove compartment (whether locked or unlocked), a snapped holster, a gun case, a zippered bag, or a closed box or container which requires a lid or cover to be opened for access.
A firearm does not need to be unloaded when stored in a vehicle — only securely encased. This standard applies equally to driver and passengers.
Traveling through Florida: Non-residents traveling through Florida with a firearm should be aware that Florida law applies to everyone within the state. If you do not have a Florida CWL or a permit from a state Florida honors, the securely-encased standard still applies to in-vehicle carry.
Open carry in Florida
As of this review, open carry is currently being treated as lawful for eligible adults in Florida — a major change from the state's long-standing ban, and one that's easy to find outdated information about online. On September 10, 2025, Florida's First District Court of Appeal ruled in McDaniels v. State that the open carry ban in § 790.053 violates the Second Amendment. Five days later, on September 15, 2025, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued formal guidance directing every prosecutor and law enforcement agency in the state not to arrest or prosecute "law-abiding citizens carrying a firearm in a manner that is visible to others," describing the ruling as "the law of the state."
The protection described in McDaniels and the AG's guidance applies to "ordinary, law-abiding, adult citizens" who are otherwise legally eligible to possess a firearm — in practice, the same eligibility standard used for Florida's permitless concealed carry (21+, no disqualifying felony convictions, injunctions, or other prohibitions).
What's still restricted even under the current open carry guidance:
- Displaying a firearm in a "rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner" remains a separate crime (improper exhibition) regardless of the open carry ruling
- All of Florida's sensitive-location restrictions still apply in full — see the prohibited locations list below
- Private property owners may still prohibit firearms on their property; ignoring a posted or verbal warning can be charged as armed trespass, a third-degree felony
- Anyone otherwise disqualified from possessing a firearm remains disqualified — the ruling changes the concealed-vs-visible question, not who is eligible to carry at all
Older guides — including prior versions of this page — describe open carry as generally prohibited with narrow exceptions for hunting, fishing, camping, and similar activities. That was accurate before September 2025 but is now superseded by the ruling above.
Prohibited locations in Florida
Florida law (§ 790.06 and related statutes) prohibits concealed carry in the following locations, regardless of whether you have a CWL:
- Police, sheriff, or highway patrol stations
- Detention facilities, prisons, and jails
- Courthouses and courtrooms
- Polling places (during elections)
- Meetings of the Legislature or its committees
- School administration buildings
- K–12 school grounds (federal GFSZA applies)
- Career centers and vocational schools
- Collegiate sporting events
- Professional athletic events
- Establishments where alcohol is the primary business (e.g., bars)
- Airport secure areas (beyond security screening)
- Any place prohibited by federal law
- Any place posting a lawful prohibition notice
Important: Private property owners may prohibit carry on their property by posting notice or giving verbal notice. Concealed carry in such a location after notice is a misdemeanor.
College and university campuses: Florida law generally prohibits carry on the "grounds or facilities" of colleges and universities. There are specific exceptions; verify with your institution and with § 790.06.
Frequently asked questions — Florida
Does Florida require a permit to carry a concealed weapon?
No. As of July 1, 2023, Florida is a permitless carry state under HB 543. Any person 21 years of age or older who is legally eligible to possess a firearm may carry a concealed weapon without obtaining a Florida CWL. Note that you must still be legally permitted to possess the firearm — the permitless carry law does not override federal or state disqualifications (prior felony convictions, domestic violence restraining orders, etc.).
Is a Florida CWL still available and worth getting?
Yes, and for most Florida gun owners it is worth obtaining. Even though no permit is required to carry in Florida, the CWL is honored by 37+ other states for reciprocity. Without a Florida CWL, you may be unable to legally carry in those states even if you are eligible under their own laws. The CWL costs $97 and is valid for 7 years. Apply through FDACS online.
Can I carry in my car in Florida without a permit?
Yes. Under Florida § 790.25, any person 21+ who is legally eligible to possess a firearm may keep it in a vehicle as long as it is securely encased. This means stored in a glove compartment, zippered bag, closed box, snapped holster, or gun case. The firearm does not need to be unloaded. A permit is not required for this.
Can I open carry in Florida?
Currently, yes — but this comes from a 2025 court ruling and Attorney General guidance, not a change to the statute itself. Florida's First District Court of Appeal struck down the open carry ban in McDaniels v. State (Sept. 10, 2025), and the AG directed statewide non-enforcement five days later. Section 790.053 is still on the books because the Legislature hasn't repealed it — several 2026 bills to formally codify the change failed. Sensitive-location restrictions, the ban on threatening or careless display, and private property owners' right to prohibit carry all still apply. Verify current guidance before relying on this, since the status could change if a different appellate court rules differently.
Can I carry in a bar or restaurant in Florida?
It depends on the establishment. Florida law prohibits carry in a place that is "primarily devoted to the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages" (i.e., a bar where alcohol is the primary business). You may carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol, provided alcohol is not the primary business. However, private establishments can prohibit carry on their property. When in doubt, leave your firearm in the vehicle.
Does Florida honor out-of-state carry permits?
Yes. Florida recognizes valid concealed carry licenses from states that meet the requirements of § 790.015 — specifically, states that require a background check for the license. Florida honors permits from numerous states. Check FDACS reciprocity list for the current complete list, as it changes periodically.
How long does a Florida CWL take to process?
FDACS is required by law to process applications within 90 days. In practice, processing times vary; many applicants receive approval in 50–70 days. You can apply online or in person at a Tax Collector office. FDACS provides an application tracker on their website.
Official sources
Related states
Other Southeast states with similar carry laws: