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Gun shop Sarasota, Florida

Order online, pick up at a licensed dealer in Sarasota County. Sarasota's barrier-island beaches and arts scene sit next to a working east county of ranches along Fruitville and Verna roads. Knight Trail Park in Nokomis, run by the county with FWC oversight, is the local public rifle and handgun range.

Sarasota, Sarasota County
CountySarasota
LicensesFDACS Division of Licensing (applications at many Sarasota County Tax Collector offices)
Hunting zoneZone C (DMU C1)
Public rangeIn the county

How buying a gun in Sarasota works

Pick an FFL dealer near you that accepts shipped transfers and name it at checkout. We confirm their license and ship the firearm to them. Ammunition, optics and parts ship straight to your door where Florida law allows.

To buy any firearm from a Florida dealer you must be 21 or older and pass an FDLE background check at the FFL when you pick up. Handgun buyers must be Florida residents under federal law. State law sets a waiting period of three business days (weekends and legal holidays excluded) or until the check clears, whichever is later, on all firearms. Concealed Weapon License holders, trade-ins and rifle or shotgun buyers with a hunter safety card are exempt. Some counties, such as Miami-Dade and Alachua, set up to five days.

Dealers in these communities all work for Sarasota-area buyers:

  • Venice
  • North Port
  • Nokomis
  • Osprey
  • Englewood
  • Lakewood Ranch
  • Bradenton
  • Siesta Key

Carrying a gun in Sarasota County

Since July 1, 2023, anyone who meets the eligibility rules for a Florida Concealed Weapon License may carry a concealed handgun without one, as long as they carry valid ID and show it to an officer on request. A September 2025 appeals ruling ended enforcement of the open carry ban. The license is still issued by the FDACS Division of Licensing, and many Sarasota County Tax Collector offices take applications. It adds reciprocity in other states and skips the three-day wait. Courthouses, schools, polling places and other listed places stay off limits.

Hunting near Sarasota

Florida splits deer hunting into Zones A, B, C and D, and the dates differ a lot. For 2026-27 the FWC lists general gun season as Sept. 19 to Oct. 18 and Nov. 21 to Jan. 3 in Zone A, Dec. 5 to Feb. 21 in Zone B, Nov. 7 to Jan. 24 in Zone C, and Nov. 26-29 plus Dec. 12 to Feb. 21 in Zone D. Centerfire rifles, shotguns, handguns and muzzleloaders are used for deer; rimfire cartridges are not legal for deer. Antler rules follow the local deer management unit around Sarasota County.

Sarasota County is Zone C. Hunters head to Babcock/Webb WMA to the south or private ranches in the east county, and waterfowl hunt the Myakka and Peace River basins.

Many local buyers are retirees choosing a first carry pistol, while east-county ranchers want a rifle for hogs and coyotes.

Public shooting ranges near Sarasota

These public ranges are run by or with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, several of them on wildlife management areas and national forests. Fees, hours and supervision differ, so check each range page before you go; Cecil M. Webb needs a management area permit or a day entry fee.

Source: FWC-Managed Public Shooting Ranges list, September 2026. Distances are approximate; call or check the agency site before you drive out.

Duck & turkey shotguns for Sarasota

Shotgun guide →

Deer rifles for Sarasota

Hunting guide →

Buying a gun in Sarasota: common questions

Can I buy a gun online and pick it up in Sarasota?

Yes. Order here, name a licensed FFL dealer in Venice, North Port, Nokomis, Sarasota or anywhere in Sarasota County, and we ship the firearm to them. You fill out ATF Form 4473 at their counter and they run the background check.

Do I need a permit to buy a gun in Sarasota?

No. Florida has no purchase permit. You need to be 21, pass the FDLE background check at the dealer, and wait three business days unless you hold a Concealed Weapon License or another exemption applies. Sarasota County may add its own waiting period, so ask the receiving dealer.

How does a gun I order online get to me in Sarasota?

We ship the firearm to a licensed FFL dealer you choose near Sarasota. You fill out ATF Form 4473 there, the dealer runs the FDLE check, and you take the gun home once the check and any waiting period are done.

Can I carry concealed in Sarasota County without a license?

Yes, if you meet the same eligibility rules as a Concealed Weapon License applicant and carry valid ID. Prohibited places such as courthouses, schools and polling places still apply.

Is a Florida Concealed Weapon License still worth getting?

Many owners keep one because it is honored in a number of other states and exempts you from the three-day waiting period. It costs $97 for a new resident license and $45 to renew, per FDACS.

Can ammunition ship to my door in Sarasota?

Ammunition, optics and most parts can ship directly to a Florida home address. You must be of legal age and give a valid address; firearms always go to an FFL.

What shotgun do I need for Florida duck hunting?

A 12- or 20-gauge pump or semi-auto rated for steel shot handles teal and wood ducks. You also need a hunting license, a migratory bird permit and the federal duck stamp; the 2026-27 teal and wood duck season is Sept. 19-23.

What does an FFL transfer cost in Sarasota?

Each dealer sets its own fee, commonly $20 to $75. Call before you order to confirm the price and that they accept firearms shipped from an online store.

Nearby cities

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More Florida guides

General information, not legal advice. Rules current as of September 2026. See our Florida gun law overview and check with FDACS Division of Licensing (applications at many Sarasota County Tax Collector offices) or a local attorney about your own situation.