Permitless Carry in Florida: What Changed and What Still Applies
Since July 1, 2023, many Floridians have been able to carry a concealed handgun without a state license. The change was significant. It was also widely misunderstood.
Plenty of people now assume the license no longer matters and that the rules about where and how to carry fell away with it. Neither assumption holds up.
What the Law Actually Changed
House Bill 543 created a path for eligible adults to carry a concealed weapon or firearm without a license. To qualify, a person generally must meet the same criteria that would make them eligible for a concealed weapon license.
That includes being at least 21, not having disqualifying criminal convictions, and not being subject to certain injunctions or mental health adjudications. Someone who could not get a license cannot rely on permitless carry either. The current statute is Florida Statutes § 790.01.
A person carrying without a license must have valid identification and present it to a law enforcement officer on request.
The law did not eliminate the licensing system. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services still issues concealed weapon licenses, and thousands of residents continue to apply or renew each year.
Where Carrying Is Still Prohibited
The places where licensed carry was banned are still off-limits for permitless carry. These include courthouses, police stations, jails, polling places, school and university facilities, and meetings of government bodies. Airport passenger terminals beyond security are also prohibited.
Another frequent trap involves bars. Carrying is prohibited in the portion of an establishment licensed to serve alcohol for on-site consumption that is primarily devoted to that purpose.
People charged with carrying in a restricted location sometimes contact a DMR Law weapons and gun charges attorney after learning that a sign on the door was not the only rule that mattered. Federal property, including post offices and many federal buildings, follows separate federal restrictions as well.
Why a License Can Still Be Useful
A Florida license still carries practical advantages.
- Many other states honor a Florida license through reciprocity agreements, while permitless carry status does not travel across state lines.
- License holders are exempt from Florida’s three-day waiting period for handgun purchases.
- A license documents eligibility, which can simplify encounters with law enforcement.
For anyone who travels with a firearm, the license is often worth keeping.
Open Carry After the 2025 Court Ruling
For years Florida generally prohibited openly carrying a firearm, with narrow exceptions for activities such as hunting and fishing. In September 2025, a state appellate court held in McDaniels v. State that the broad open-carry ban was unconstitutional, and state officials declined to seek further review.
Open carry is no longer treated the same way, but the details still matter. Eligibility rules, prohibited places, and private property restrictions continue to apply.
Transport and Storage Rules
Florida allows a firearm to be carried in a private vehicle if it is securely encased or not readily accessible for immediate use. That rule existed before permitless carry and still matters for people who do not meet eligibility requirements.
Storage rules also apply in homes where minors are present, and they reach further than many gun owners realize. Leaving a loaded firearm where a child can access it can lead to criminal liability.
Selling or transferring firearms raises its own questions. Lawsuit Zone has covered what to know before transferring several guns in a single transaction, including the paperwork and reporting that can apply.
Penalties Remain Serious
Carrying while ineligible, carrying in a prohibited place, or failing to present identification can all lead to charges. Some violations are misdemeanors, while others, such as carrying by a convicted felon, are serious felonies.
A conviction can also bring consequences outside the courtroom, including the loss of firearm rights, immigration problems for noncitizens, and difficulty with professional licensing.
The Practical Takeaway
Permitless carry changed who needs a license, and for many residents that change was a genuine convenience. It did not change where firearms are banned or who is legally allowed to have one.
Anyone carrying in Florida should know their own eligibility, check the rules for every place they plan to go, and remember that crossing a state line can change everything.
This article provides general information about Florida firearm law and is not legal advice for any individual situation.
