Florida Permitless Carry: What It Covers and What It Does Not

On July 1, 2023, Florida became a permitless carry state for concealed weapons. House Bill 543 changed Section 790.01 so that people who meet the eligibility rules for a Concealed Weapon License can carry a concealed handgun without applying for the license. Many people read that as "anyone can carry anywhere." That is not what the law says. This guide explains the actual rules as of September 2026. It is a summary, not legal advice.

Who may carry without a license

Section 790.01 allows concealed carry without a license by a person who otherwise meets the criteria for receiving and maintaining a Concealed Weapon License under Section 790.06, with a few parts of that section left out. In practice, that means you must not be disqualified by things such as:

A felony conviction, unless your rights have been restored
Certain misdemeanor crimes of violence within the past three years
A domestic violence injunction or a conviction for domestic violence
Being committed to a mental institution or adjudicated mentally incompetent, unless relief has been granted
Chronic and habitual use of alcohol or controlled substances, as defined in the statute
Being under a risk protection order or an injunction
Any federal prohibition on possessing firearms

The unlicensed carrier does not have to take a training course, which the license still requires. The age question is in flux. The license statute set the minimum age at 21, but on June 17, 2026, the Fourth District Court of Appeal held in Eubanks v. Florida that barring 18- to 20-year-olds from the license was unconstitutional, and FDACS now issues licenses to eligible applicants 18 and older. How that ruling applies to unlicensed carry is not fully settled, so adults under 21 should get current legal advice before carrying.

You must carry ID

Section 790.013 requires a person carrying a concealed weapon without a license to have valid identification with them and to show it when a law enforcement officer asks. A Florida driver license or state ID card is the usual choice. Not having ID on you is a noncriminal violation with a fine, but it can turn a routine contact into a longer one.

Places you still cannot carry

Permitless carry follows the same place limits as the license. You cannot carry concealed into places listed in Section 790.06(12), including law enforcement stations, jails, courthouses, polling places, meetings of governing bodies, the Legislature, schools and school events, most college and university facilities, the bar area of a place licensed to serve alcohol on premises, airport passenger terminals and sterile areas, and professional athletic events unrelated to firearms. Federal buildings and post offices are off limits under federal law. Private businesses can ask you to leave if you carry.

Carrying in a vehicle

Before 2023, many people without a license relied on the vehicle rule, which lets anyone who may lawfully own a gun keep it in a car if it is securely encased or not readily accessible. That rule still applies. Permitless carry now adds the option of carrying a concealed handgun on your person in the vehicle, as long as you are eligible and have ID.

Open carry after McDaniels

Permitless carry originally covered concealed carry only, and openly carrying a firearm stayed illegal under Section 790.053. On September 10, 2025, the First District Court of Appeal struck down that ban in McDaniels v. State. State officials chose not to appeal and told law enforcement to stop enforcing it. Open carry is now treated as lawful for people who may legally possess firearms, but you still cannot carry openly in the prohibited places, and local businesses can still exclude you. Watch for future legislation that could set new rules.

Why many people still get the license

A Florida Concealed Weapon License still has real benefits:

Travel. Many other states honor a Florida license. Permitless carry only works inside Florida.
No waiting period. License holders skip the three-day wait when they buy a firearm.
School zone. The federal Gun-Free School Zones Act has an exception for people licensed by the state where the school zone is located, which permitless carriers do not get.
Proof. A license shows you passed a background check and completed training, which can smooth encounters with officers.

Our Concealed Weapon License guide explains the process, which costs $97 for a new resident license.

Carrying responsibly

The law sets the minimum. Good practice goes further:

Use a quality holster that covers the trigger guard and stays put. Florida heat and light clothing make a solid inside-the-waistband holster worth the money.
Train. Take a class even if the law does not require it, and practice at a public range. The FWC runs or partners on ranges across the state, from Tenoroc near Lakeland to the Bay County range near Panama City.
Know the self-defense law in Chapter 776 and what happens after a defensive shooting.
Keep the gun secured at home, especially if children under 16 could reach it.

Choosing a carry pistol

Most Florida carriers pick a compact or subcompact 9mm. Humidity and salt air are hard on steel, so consider a finish that resists corrosion and wipe the gun down often. Browse compact handguns in our shop; every firearm ships to a Florida FFL near you, where you complete the background check. See our city pages for local ranges and dealers' areas, and the Florida gun laws overview for the buying rules.

Common questions

Can I carry in a state park?

State parks are not on the prohibited list for licensed or eligible carriers, but some facilities inside parks may have their own limits. National parks follow the law of the state they are in, but federal buildings inside them are off limits.

Do I have to tell an officer I am carrying?

Florida has no statute requiring you to announce that you are carrying, but you must show ID on request when carrying without a license. Many instructors recommend calmly telling the officer, keeping your hands visible and following instructions.

Can I carry in a restaurant that serves alcohol?

You may carry in the dining area of a restaurant. You may not carry into the part of the business mainly devoted to serving alcohol, such as the bar.

This guide reflects the law as of September 2026. Check Chapter 790 and FDACS guidance before relying on it.

General information, not legal advice. Current as of September 2026. Laws change; check the official source before you act.