Hey guys. I am flying to Florida next week and plan on carrying while there. I have studied the summary on handgunlaw.us, and have read the relevant Florida statutes. So I guess I am just wondering if anyone from Florida knows of any subtle nuances in the carry law that I may have overlooked or should know. Thanks in advance.

Conceal, Conceal, Conceal.. LOL That's all I can add being a GA resident who travels there pretty frequently. JB or some of our other fine Floridians should be along shortly to give actual input.

Originally Posted by ZENAS

Hey guys. I am flying to Florida next week and plan on carrying while there. I have studied the summary on handgunlaw.us, and have read the relevant Florida statutes. So I guess I am just wondering if anyone from Florida knows of any subtle nuances in the carry law that I may have overlooked or should know. Thanks in advance.

Unlike Georgia, Florida does not have open carry... However, we do have an option that states that printing or an innocent flash of a weapon is no longer an issue... This is a new revision to the law and I have not heard of anyone challenging it or utilizing it... It is also now allowable to carry in a restaurant that serves liquor, but not to sit in a specific bar area of a restaurant...

These are Florida's laws as I understand them and should not be used in an actual determination of law... Any individual interested in carrying a firearm in the state of Florida should check the appropriate Florida laws before crossing the border... How's that for a legal disclaimer, Counselor?

LOL Very nice disclaimer.

And thank you very much for the info. While I have a pretty good handle on concealed carry in Florida, I had no idea about the open carry laws. Here in Ohio open carry is allowed for the simple reason that there is no law against it, only concealed. So I really never would have thought to look into open carry regulations. Do you know of a specific statute I can read on Florida's open carry prohibition? Obviously I will conceal, but I certainly won't do some of the concealing I do in Ohio (i.e. OWB with only an open jacket covering).

I really appreciate that help. I'm really glad I decided to post it here now.

Oh, sorry for the double post, but I forgot to ask. I don't remember any specifics on duty to disclose if stopped by an officer. If you might be so kind as to either point to a statute or fill me in on if Florida has any such regulations. Thanks.

So, enough of all the legal mumbo jumbo, are you going down there to have fun or work related????

Fun.

My wife's parents live in Plant City, so we get down for a week's vacation every once in a while. This will be the first time my 18 month old daughter has got to go down to visit the grandparents (they've been to Ohio a few times, but we haven't been down there in 2 years).

Sounds like fun! I'll be headed down south in July for Vacation with the family. Probably St. Augustine this year. Enjoy your time there.

Originally Posted by ZENAS

LOL Very nice disclaimer.

And thank you very much for the info. While I have a pretty good handle on concealed carry in Florida, I had no idea about the open carry laws. Here in Ohio open carry is allowed for the simple reason that there is no law against it, only concealed. So I really never would have thought to look into open carry regulations. Do you know of a specific statute I can read on Florida's open carry prohibition? Obviously I will conceal, but I certainly won't do some of the concealing I do in Ohio (i.e. OWB with only an open jacket covering).

I really appreciate that help. I'm really glad I decided to post it here now.

I am not a lawyer... I rely on the newspaper and Jon H. Gutmacher's book (shown above) on Florida law... Here's a link that discusses some of the new changes in Florida open and concealed carry... Gutenmacher's blog covers legal updates that come after his most current book is released and before his next book is released... The updates and his blog are free...

The Orlando Gun Lawyer: The New 2011 Florida Pro-Gun Laws summarized

Originally Posted by ZENAS

Oh, sorry for the double post, but I forgot to ask. I don't remember any specifics on duty to disclose if stopped by an officer. If you might be so kind as to either point to a statute or fill me in on if Florida has any such regulations. Thanks.

The Orlando Gun Lawyer: Must a person reveal being armed to law enforcement?

There's a link about revealing a concealed weapon to a LEO...

Hope these help...

Hey Zenas are you flying to FLA? If so how are you going to transport your firearm?