New to FL - Concealed Carry Permit

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Brushline

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Jun 24, 2025
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I'm relatively new to Florida. Previously lived in NC all my life. I was a concealed carry permit holder in NC - I'm trying to see what I need to get one here, if I do? I'm located in Central, FL around UCF area - and there's been a lot of activity that I'm just not a fan of, so I want to carry concealed more often.
I haven't purchased any handguns or any firearm since moving, but having a permit in NC made purchasing lot simpler with the paperwork.

Can anyone give me the highlights on carrying concealed in FL?
 
A year or so back they decided you no longer needed to have a permit to carry concealed. They still have concealed Carry permits, but you don't need one here.

They come in handy if you go out of state and go somewhere which has reciprocity. If I have a Florida carry permit I can go to Alabama safely and legally. I decided that was worth paying for a renew.

Thanks to them lovely people down in Miami there's a 3-day waiting period on buying a pistol. Unless you have a carry permit. If you have a permit you can take it home right then. Unlike some states, you still have to do the call in, for which they charge you five bucks, but you can take the gun home then - no wait.
 
Welcome to Florida. Get a CCW permit - the education part of the process is reason enough to go the the hoops. Having one demonstrates a willingness to know and respect the law. It also allows one to not be subject to the 3-day wait when purchasing a firearm from a dealer. Most gun shows have instruction available for a nominal fee. Go and do it. You'll have fun and learn some new things.
 
You can apply for a concealed weapon license in person at a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) regional office or an authorized Florida tax collector's office in your area,

you can be registered on line if it makes it simple..

you just need your
  • A picture ID. A driver license or state-issued identification card is acceptable.
  • A copy of a training document or other certificate that confirms that you are proficient with a firearm. Learn more about the acceptable forms of training.
  • Your payment. Review

the regulation office does not take cash, and the tax office may charge an additional sum.. in about 90 days you should have your permit in hand. good luck
 
Brushline said:
I'm relatively new to Florida. Previously lived in NC all my life. I was a concealed carry permit holder in NC - I'm trying to see what I need to get one here, if I do? I'm located in Central, FL around UCF area - and there's been a lot of activity that I'm just not a fan of, so I want to carry concealed more often.
I haven't purchased any handguns or any firearm since moving, but having a permit in NC made purchasing lot simpler with the paperwork.

Can anyone give me the highlights on carrying concealed in FL?
Click to expand...
Waiting period for firearms is three days without a CCW. Florida is now constitutional carry for concealed and also is now open carry. Do recommend as a NRA instructor getting a Florida permit as there is reciprocity with other states. Even though some states are also constitutional carry that applies to State residents. Check out NRA classes on the NRA website for courses. Gun shows have also CCW classes and some indoor gun ranges do also.
 
Running man said:
You can apply for a concealed weapon license in person at a Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) regional office or an authorized Florida tax collector's office in your area,

you can be registered on line if it makes it simple..

you just need your
  • A picture ID. A driver license or state-issued identification card is acceptable.
  • A copy of a training document or other certificate that confirms that you are proficient with a firearm. Learn more about the acceptable forms of training.
  • Your payment. Review

the regulation office does not take cash, and the tax office may charge an additional sum.. in about 90 days you should have your permit in hand. good luck
Click to expand...
All good info. If you attend a class at a local gun show, you will receive the required documents to submit.
 
In NC we had to attend a class and demonstrate range time. So this is definitely different. Welcome to the Free State of Florida! Since I do travel a good bit thru a few states, I think its worth it for the permit.

Thank yall for the information.
 
LAST I KNEW IF YOU HAVE AA CCW FROM A DIFFERENT STATE OR ARE A VET,JUST APPLY ,NO FURTHER TRAINING NEEED
 
Yo, OP - in Florida, you Do need to attend a class and demonstrate proficeincy at a range (it could be firing just one round downrange). The class is no big deal and you learn a lot. Take it and get the permit.
 
One thing to add, there is a county option that can add two days to the state's three business day waiting period.

Hillsborough County has a five business days wait if you do not have a concealed carry permit. Since Saturday & Sunday do not count, the five is often closer to a seven day wait.

Plus, if you buy on a Friday you can't pick up until Wednesday if not a permit holder.
 
Fodderwing said:
One thing to add, there is a county option that can add two days to the state's three business day waiting period.
Click to expand...
A "county option"?

Whatever happened to State Preemption - you know, "we made the damn law and you can't change it!!"


Guess I've been spoiled, not having to live in the peninsula.
 
What seems stupid to me is if you already have a gun there should be no reason for the wait. When you trade a gun in you can take what you bought home. No 3 day wait. So you should be able to bring one of your guns with you to show that you already have access to a gun that you own or have in your possession. Isn't that their thinking that your going to buy a gun to shoot someone, so if you already have one with you there would be no need to buy one for the moment.
 
Brushline said:
I'm relatively new to Florida. Previously lived in NC all my life. I was a concealed carry permit holder in NC - I'm trying to see what I need to get one here, if I do? I'm located in Central, FL around UCF area - and there's been a lot of activity that I'm just not a fan of, so I want to carry concealed more often.
I haven't purchased any handguns or any firearm since moving, but having a permit in NC made purchasing lot simpler with the paperwork.

Can anyone give me the highlights on carrying concealed in FL?
Click to expand...
Welcome to the forum and to sunny Florida! If you’re from NC, you’re definitely not alone. These days, Florida's pretty straightforward. We’ve got permitless concealed carry for those who meet the qualifications, so you might not need a permit just to carry. However, a lot of our members still go for the FL CWFL to get some extra perks, like reciprocity while traveling and fewer headaches when buying firearms. Since you’re new around here, it’s worth taking a moment to read up on where you can’t carry and how vehicle carry works. But remember that open carry is still pretty limited in FL, which is something that people moving from other states sometimes overlook.
 
Alan said:
Since you’re new around here, it’s worth taking a moment to read up on where you can’t carry and how vehicle carry works
Click to expand...
Get the concealed carry permit application package. Whether you get a permit or not is irrelevant, get the package.

In the package is a list of all the relevant firearms laws, rules and regulations, including where you can and most importantly where you cannot carry a gun. All in one little package.
 
Alpo said:
A "county option"?

Whatever happened to State Preemption - you know, "we made the damn law and you can't change it!!"


Guess I've been spoiled, not having to live in the peninsula.
Click to expand...

The state legislature wrote and passed the law, and Rick Scott signed it, with the county option included in the bill.
 
Ah yes, governor Scott. Didn't he also sign into law that you have to be 21 to buy a rifle now?

Or am I hallucinating?
 
Alpo said:
Ah yes, governor Scott. Didn't he also sign into law that you have to be 21 to buy a rifle now?

Or am I hallucinating?
Click to expand...

Yes, there was lots of folks involved in the knee jerk reaction to the Parkland school shooting. Rick Scott and Wilton Simpson were both among the forefront passing waiting periods and 21 to purchase long guns.
 

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