When it comes to concealed carry, states have different laws about what permits, if any, are required before an individual can conceal and carry a firearm. Some states may have what is known as “constitutional carry.” Also called “unrestricted” or “permitless” carry, constitutional carry means that a permit is not required to carry a concealed firearm.
Some states have laws explicitly written. Others may merely imply constitutional carry; there are no laws against concealed carrying without a permit.
There is, of course, variety when it comes to these laws. Some states are fully unrestricted, while other states are partially unrestricted. And some other states always require a permit.
Although the terms constitutional carry, permitless carry and unrestricted carry are often used interchangeably, definitions of the terms differ.
Constitutional carry: Constitutional carry means that the state’s law does not prohibit citizens who can legally possess a firearm from carrying handguns, (openly and/or in a concealed manner) thus no state permit is required. Sometimes, constitutional carry may be conditional such as in those states that have no laws prohibiting the open carry of a handgun, but which require a permit to carry the handgun concealed.
Permitless carry: Permitless carry includes constitutional carry states as well as states where an individual must meet certain qualifications, e.g., no DUIs in the last 10 years, in order to legally carry (Tennessee). Some states are fully unrestricted, meaning no permit is required for open or concealed carry. Others allow the open carry of a firearm/or handgun without a permit but require a permit for concealment.
Open carry means to carry a firearm in public in circumstances where the firearm is fully or partially (e.g, holstered) visible to others. Some states specify that open carry occurs when the weapon is “partially visible,” while others may require the weapon to be “fully visible” to be considered carried openly. States may impose various restrictions including age limits, criminal history conditions, geographic limits, etc.
Open carry laws generally fall into one of four categories:
- Permissive Open Carry States — Allow gun owners who can legally possess a firearm, to openly carry a gun without a permit or license (includes Alaska, New Mexico, West Virginia and Utah)
- Licensed Open Carry/Not Addressed States— Allow gun owners to carry firearms openly only after they are issued a permit or license (includes Connecticut and Indiana) or open carry is not specifically addressed in state statutes, but a permit or license is required to carry a handgun (Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York). Although open carry may not be expressly prohibited in these states, individuals may want to proceed with caution as open carry may be uncommon and may cause alarm in public.
- Anomalous Open Carry States — Carrying a gun openly may be either generally lawful or legal under state law, but local governments may have gun laws that differ from the state’s laws (Colorado, Missouri, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee), may be extremely limited (in California, the sheriff of any county with a population under 200,000 people, or the chief of police of a city within that county, may issue licenses to carry a loaded, exposed handgun) or criteria may differ for residents v. non-residents (in Michigan open carry is allowed without a permit for residents that are at least 18 years old and who can legally possess a firearm, provided the gun is registered in their name. However, non-residents must have a permit from their home state).
- Non-Permissive Open Carry States — Carrying a gun openly is against state law or is legal only in limited circumstances (e.g., while hunting) or when legally used for self-defense (includes the District of Columbia, New York and South Carolina)
In order to carry a handgun, an individual must be:
- Able to lawfully possess a handgun per Federal law (e.g. not a felon or an individual with a conviction of domestic abuse) and any state requirements
- Be in a place where the person has a legal right to be
New gun owners enjoy the same firearm pastimes as others — including hunting, target shooting and training for personal protection. Like all gun owners, new gun owners have a responsibility to ensure they stay safe with their guns.
These 10 safety tips for new gun owners are especially helpful for any new gun owner wanting to safely handle, store and care for their new firearm:
- Read the instruction manual for your gun
Guns are complicated mechanisms, with each type having its own particular characteristics. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the specifics of your own gun, including proper procedures for loading, unloading, carrying and handling. Be sure to read the instruction manual you receive with your gun. If you’ve misplaced the manual, contact the manufacturer to obtain a replacement.
- Understand the gun’s safety mechanisms
A gun’s primary safety mechanism is your own proper handling, but most guns also come with one or more mechanical safety devices. As a new gun owner, it’s important to understand what these safety mechanisms can and can’t do. All safeties can malfunction, often at the worst moment, and a gun may be able to fire at any time. Your safety should remain on until you are ready to fire, but safe handling of a firearm is a must even with the safety on.
- Keep the muzzle pointed in a safe direction
The most important rule of new gun ownership is to always keep the muzzle of your gun pointed in a safe direction, meaning a direction in which a bullet cannot strike a person, either directly, through walls and ceilings or due to a ricochet. This direction is up on some occasions and down on others. Make it a habit to be aware of and in control of your muzzle direction at all times.
- Be sure of your target and what’s beyond it
Once a gun fires, it’s no longer possible to control where a shot will go or what it will strike. Care has to be taken before you take a shot to be sure of your target and what may lie beyond it. Firing at noise or movement without identifying a target is unsafe. New gun owners also need to understand how far the slugs or bullets they are using can travel beyond the target, which could be more than a mile.
- Use correct high-quality ammunition
Make sure to read and follow all warnings on proper ammunition usage. The wrong caliber or gauge could ruin your new gun and result in serious injury. Always check each cartridge as you load it. Avoid using damaged, handloaded and reloaded ammunition and ammunition that has been exposed to water, solvents, oil or excessive lubricants.
- Handle jams and misfires with extra care
Though rare, any gun can jam and misfire, due to improper technique, excess dirt and grime, worn-out springs, bad ammunition or just needing to be broken in. When a stoppage happens, it’s important to handle your gun with extra care. Point the muzzle in a safe direction, keep your face away from the breech and carefully open the action to unload and dispose of the cartridge.
- Wear eye and ear protection when shooting
Glasses and ear plugs are cheap compared to your sight and hearing. Get in the habit of wearing eye and ear protection every time you go shooting. Twigs, falling shot, clay chips, ruptured cases and firearm malfunctions can all cause eye injury. Firing high decibel shots can damage hearing. But these dangers can be minimized with proper protection.
- Be sure the barrel stays clear of obstructions
A barrel obstructed with bits of mud, snow, lubricating oil or grease can be a danger to you and others. Excess pressure buildup can cause the barrel to bulge or burst on firing. Safely inspect the action before loading and anytime the sound or recoil of a shot seems off. Verify every cartridge is the correct gauge or caliber to avoid ammunition causing obstruction.
- Unload your gun when it is not in use
There are times a new gun owner may keep their gun loaded causing unnecessary risk, such as when it’s in an unworn holster, a gun case, or slung over your shoulder as you’re crossing difficult terrain. When in doubt, unload your gun. It’s safest to only load a firearm when you are in the field, on the range or at the shooting area and you are ready to shoot. Store your gun and ammunition separately to prevent children and unauthorized adults from gaining access.
- Take proper care of your new gun
Remember that a safe firearm is a well-maintained firearm. A gun is a mechanical device that needs routine maintenance and proper care to function at its best. Clean your gun regularly according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Understand that making modifications to the safety or trigger mechanisms of your gun can be dangerous. Leave adjustments, alterations and servicing to a qualified professional.
- Schedule a session with your local trained professional
Become a member of USCCA gain access to multiple ways to gain knowledge
- Always Keep Firearm Pointed in a Safe direction. Never point your gun at anything you do not intend to shoot.
- Treat All Guns as Though They are Loaded.
- Keep Your Finger Off the Trigger and out of the trigger guard until You are Ready to Shoot.
- Always Be Sure of Your Target and What's Beyond It.
- Stance or Platform
- Grip
- Sight Alignment and Sight Picture
- Trigger Management
- Breathing
- Follow Through
The concise answer, is as often as you can. Most people can't dedicate all their free time to the range, however, a person should practice their shooting skills frequently enough to maintain their skills at the very least; but the more you go the better you will get
- 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.
- In person – Florida Tax Collectors Office
- By Mail – Download application instructions, Download application, Schedule appointment at Sheriff’s office or Police to submit finger prints, complete application and mail it to:
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Division of Licensing
P.O. Box 6687
Tallahassee, FL 32314-6687
|
License Type |
Fingerprint Processing Fee |
Initial License Fee |
|
Concealed Weapon or Firearm: Florida Resident |
$42 |
$55 |
|
Concealed Weapon or Firearm: Out of State Resident |
$42 |
$55 |
|
Florida Law Enforcement Officer: Active |
None |
$55 |
|
Florida Law Enforcement Officer: Retired within preceding year |
None |
None |
Between 7 and 10 years of age, if your child is mature enough to do so, you can introduce your child to proper shooting form and the basics of marksmanship. One of the best ways to introduce these concepts is by using a BB gun, pellet gun or Airsoft gun
In most cases (please check with your shooting range for specific details) Children under 8 years of age are not permitted in the range, but can watch from the viewing area. All persons between the ages of 8 and 18 must be accompanied in the range by an adult and a waiver of liability signed by the shooter’s parent or legal guardian. All children between the ages of 8 and 18 must be accompanied and directly supervised in the shooting booth by a parent or legal guardian.
Must be 21 years of age. Rifles and shotguns may be purchased by a person who is at least 18 when that person is a law enforcement officer or correctional officer as defined in F.S. 943.10 or service member as defined in F.S. 250.01.
In most states there is no requirement to register your firearm. “License to own”: Three states—Illinois, Massachusetts, and New York—require a license to own firearms (New York's law applies to handguns and semiautomatic rifles). Unlike a permit to purchase, a license to own a firearm must remain valid for as long as the person owns the firearm.
