Although in Florida people do not need a permit to buy or own a gun, they do need a concealed weapon permit to carry a concealed weapon. However, there are some lawful situationswhen you can carry a gun without this permit. Some of these situations include:

• Having the gun in your home or place of business
• Being engaged or returning from hunting, fishing, camping
• Firing a weapon for testing or target practice under safe conditions
• Traveling in a private transport with the gun securely encased
• Carrying an unloaded gun from the place of purchase to your home or business
• Being an investigator employed by the public defenders of the state
• Being part of law enforcement
• Working in a lawful business that deals, manufactures, services or repairs guns

• The physical inability to handle a firearm safely.
• A felony conviction (unless civil and firearm rights have been restored by the convicting authority).
• Having adjudication withheld or sentence suspended on a felony or misdemeanor crime of violence unless three years have elapsed since probation or other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled.
• A conviction for a misdemeanor crime of violence in the last three years.
• A conviction for violation of controlled substance laws or multiple arrests for such offenses.
• A record of drug or alcohol abuse.
• Two or more DUI convictions within the previous three years.
• Being committed to a mental institution or adjudged incompetent or mentally defective.
• Failing to provide proof of proficiency with a firearm.
• Having been issued a domestic violence injunction or an injunction against repeat violence that is currently in force.
• Renouncement of U.S. citizenship.
• A dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
• Being a fugitive from justice.

To be eligible for a Florida concealed weapon or firearm license

• You must be 21 years of age or older.
• You must be able to demonstrate competency with a firearm.
• Unless you are serving overseas in the United States Armed Forces, you must currently reside in the United States and be a U.S. citizen or deemed a lawful permanent resident alien by Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. If you are serving overseas in the U.S. Armed Forces, submit a copy of your deployment documentation with your application. Those who are Resident Aliens must provide a valid Permanent Resident Alien card