Florida concealed
 

After being licensed for 10 years in Georgia, it felt strange not being so in Florida so I applied here a few months back. It took a while but the license came this week. In Georgia and specifically Atlanta downtown I had a real need to pack as I would go into large abandoned buildings downtown and do surveys and reports on them prior to renovation. It got pretty damned scary in some, "they" were in there. I never needed the pistol but there is the possibility that my having it gave me apparent and visible confidence that let the predators sense to seek other prey. Things are a little calmer here near Pensacola. My county has a "minority" population of 4% and the crime rate is a small fraction of that in the Atlanta area.

But there was an itch, I wanted the license anyway.

I have email friends from other countries. I was talking a little with an ex-GIM friend who lives in GB. The thought that your government would totally de-weaponize you is alien to me. You are then truly and totally sheep, powerless and helpless without your protector. There is no way in hell that I would live in that circumstance.

In Florida and in Georgia and in a number of other states, there is a concept called the Castle Doctrine. Specifically it says that you have the right to use deadly force to protect yourself as long as you are in a place that you have a right to be. Actually it implies a lot more than that. The implication is that you are a self contained human, responsible and capable of dealing for yourself and that the state recognizes you as a partner rather than a subject.

I know some of you will say "what the state gives, the state may take away" and that firearm rights are basic and unalienable, therefore the state has no basis to give what is already ours. I have empathy with that but current political reality is harsher; the US Congress and Supreme Court have proved themselves quite happy to enact laws with no reference at all to the Constitution. I'm happy to live in the southeastern US, one of the last bastions of individual empowerment in the world.

Below is a list of the states that accept and don't accept a Florida carry license. I can easily spend the rest of my life in the states that accept. The States that don't accept look to be pretty socialist on average (with apologies to my buddy Morgan from NJ).

A Florida Concealed weapons permit is valid in the following states:
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wyoming

A Florida Concealed weapons permit is NOT valid in the following states:
California, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Maryland, Minnesota, Nebraska, New York, New Jersey, Oregon, Rhode Island, Washington,American Samoa, Guam, N. Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3461/...1f1d571a29.jpg

Re: Florida concealed
 

My dad is an ex-cop, Maricopa county sheriffs office- Arizona. Anyway, as a retired cop he was able to get a second conceal carry permit for when he travels to California. Me, i'd like to move to a free state like Alaska where you don't need a permit.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Nice Tom! I have the application forms for FLA upstairs. I did not go through with it since my state is one on the list that won't recognize it. I thought it was great that the guys name on all the documentation was Charles Bronson.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Thank you for that post Tom. Very informative. I am in FL too.

I have been thinking about this for some time, I hope you can shed some light on the subject. I apologize if it is rather basic.

For a person who only wants to protect their home, do you see any practical reason to get a carry permit?

Also, do you think there are downsides to having a carry permit? I am a bit on the paranoid side as far as registering for anything government related . . . that's where this question comes from.

Re: Florida concealed
 

No worries Tom, and sorry. But where I am, The Pine Barrens, guns are everywhere and everyone has guns, I don't know about concealed carry. We have just about no crime in my area. Overall, I agree, you should be able to carry any personal property across state lines without these rules.

Re: Florida concealed
 

In many states, the CC permit is reported to the dept motor vehicles, so if you get pulled over the officer knows. Shouldn't be a big deal though?

Re: Florida concealed
 

I pulled the trigger on mine earlier this year. I too was a little hesitant, what with the fingerprinting and all, but I figured they already know everything they could ever want about me and this way I can carry some where other my property or my car.

I like having it a lot..i mean that, a lot. My wife likes me having it too, she wants one of her own in the near future.

If you NEVER EVER plan on carrying out of your home, or car, dont get one. BUt can you say 100% that youll never, ever want to? Well, if its not 100% now and for all the rest of your life, it doesnt hurt to have one. It only cost $117 to the state and $50-$60 for the 2-4 hour class (dont do the gun show classes).


P.S. for other floridians, a friend of mine just took his class this morning and told me that they were saying permits are back to taking only about 2-6 weeks, instead of the 3 1/2- 41/2 months it was taking earlier this year.

Oh, 3x3, dont forget too, that other than fingerprints, you're not really giving the state anymore information that they dont already have, and that with the permit, there is NO wait period for the pruchase of long guns or hand guns

Re: Florida concealed
 

Thanks Heimdhal. Nice to hear from you! I think you know my paranoia factor. :-)

I don't mind paying or waiting, although I'd rather do neither. It's just one of those things my gut says not to do, and I have always wanted to get this board's perspective on it.

BTW, I am trying out an "honest avatar"!

I really, really want to be talked out of being so darn paranoid. It's quite isolating.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Is there any added functionality to having a carry license if you never intend to do anything other than keep guns in your home? Probably not but do you wish to limit yourself to that extent? I can envision situations where the social situation isn't entirely normal where you might wish for higher levels of protection. I've also bought guns based on my license when the NCIC was down for extensive periods of time.

Downside? I'm sure that someone sufficiently paranoid can come up with something, but practically? No. There are millions of us.

Re: Florida concealed
 

3x, you know I'd never hold paranoia against some one unless it totaly consumed their life, and I dont think you're there......yet! :biggrin:

We need to go to the range some time. We were planning a trip to gator maybe tomorrow, not sure though. Gun show coming up on the 22nd too.

Edit: I'd be "honest" too, but my mug would break the forum and we all know how GIM gets when the "server busy" sign comes up!!!!!

Re: Florida concealed
 

Know something? In Georgia or here in Florida, I've got no problem at all being around all sorts of armed people who have gone through the trouble to get a license. As a group, they are the most law abiding people in the entire nation. Aggressive crimes by gun permit holders are essentially unheard of. Can't think of any examples of license holders just f****** up either due to drunkenness or idiocy.

Re: Florida concealed
 

My wife just got her Florida CCW, I have Washington State and Florida CCW. I doubt i'll renew my washington one this time, but i dunno.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Not to derail the thread...

3X3, I totally know where you're coming from as far as being paranoid. With me, it is more that personal privacy is being done away with, and the more they push for it the more I go the opposite way.

I think you should have more to fear with the way your emails, browsing, search engine entries, posts on forums such as this, ETC. are being cataloged and stored forever.

I consider myself an expert on internet privacy. Id be happy to answer any questions you might have if you want to start another thread or just PM me.

I wouldn't worry too much about the avatar, although you might find people take more of an interest in your posts, LOL

Re: Florida concealed
 

What's the accepted protocol for CCW holders in a traffic stop? Do you tell the cop, "I got a gun?", "I have a CCW permit", Do you wait for him to ask? and has anyone ever been in this situation? what'd the cop say?

Re: Florida concealed
 

Back in the late 90's here in Cal, the police chief in a nearby small town called Isleton made national news when he handed CCW permits to basically anybody in the county (Sacramento) who asked for it, so long as they were not a felon etc...

At the time I wasn't interested, but a good friend got one. He was pulled over for speeding when I was with him once, and as the cop walked up he handed him his license and CCW permit. The officer appreciated it and didnt give him a ticket.

We got to talking and he told me he was pulled over a few months before, and the first thing out of the cops mouth was "do you have weapon on you" - my friend said it was a very intense situation and that is when he learned how it was tied to the license plate/DMV records

Re: Florida concealed
 

One thing is that you don't have to wait the 3 days to pick up your gun when you make a purchase. If you have a CCW in FL you buy and walk out which is nice.

Re: Florida concealed
 

In most states, including my state florida, the CCL is linked the DMV database, so as soon as the cop runs your plates (before even getting out of his car) he already knows you have a Concealed Carry Permit/License.

When stopped, you are supposed to give them your Drivers License and your Concealed Carry License, together, when he asks for your stuff. If you. Usualy they take it from there, asking you if you are carrying at this time, and if so where the gun is. Sometimes they ask to take the gun, sometimes not, it depends on the cop.

However, again, in some states, like florida, you have no DUTY to inform. Which means if you are just walking around and you meet a cop in passing and ask him for directions somewhere, or just strike up idle conversation, you DO NOT have to tell you are armed. Unless of course you are being questioned in an official manner, like you are acting as a witness to a crime, or had to use your CCW, then you must tell them at the earliest available opportunity.

whew....

Re: Florida concealed
 

for over a year i have not lift my home wih out mine . now it feels like part of me . it just the thought that i can keep myself an family safe when were out

Re: Florida concealed
 

http://licgweb.doacs.state.fl.us/new...led_carry.html

FLORIDA'S RECIPROCITY STATES
Alabama (1,3,5)
Alaska (1)
Arizona (6)
Arkansas (1)
Colorado (1,4)
Delaware
Georgia (1)
Idaho (3,6)
Indiana (1,3,6)
Kansas (1)
Kentucky
Louisiana (1)
Michigan (1,4)
Mississippi (1)
Missouri
Montana (3)
Nebraska (1)
New Hampshire (1,3,4,6)
New Mexico (1)
North Carolina (1)
North Dakota (3,6)
Ohio (1)
Oklahoma (1)
Pennsylvania (1,6)
South Carolina (1,4,6)
South Dakota (1,3)
Tennessee (1,6)
Texas (1,3,6)
Utah (1,6)
Vermont (2)
Virginia (1,6)
West Virginia (1)
Wyoming (1,3)

Utah's: http://apps.carryconcealed.net/legal...state-laws.php
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado*, Delaware, Florida*, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan*, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming

Unless something has changed Utah and Florida used to be the best two CCW's to have. Oh and to answer the previous question about notifying the police officer at a traffic stop some states REQUIRE you inform them you are a CCW holder, even if you aren't carrying, Utah is one of them. Make sure even if your permit is recognized you check the laws in each state you plan on carrying in as they vary from state to state.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Never, ever submit your fingerprints to the state or federal governments. The second amendment is your CCP/CWP.

Re: Florida concealed
 

I've had my FL CCL for about 11 years. I've been stopped twice for traffic violations, and been involved in one traffic accident. I was never asked for my CCL or asked if I was carrying any of those times. And since I was not carrying any of those times due to having to be on the Air Force base or at work (school), I didn't volunteer the fact I had a CCL.

That said, I don't know if things would have been different if I were stopped for a more serious violation like reckless driving or DUI....

Re: Florida concealed
 

I'm a VA resident. I believe that many CCW permit holders from outside of FL can still get a non resident permit if they have a CCW permit from their home state. I cannot remember exactly what it's called. Utah used to let people get an out of state permit for CCW if you had a CCW permit in your home state. As some states honor other's permits this allows you to sometimes double the number of places you can carry. Utah's CCW permits were honored almost everywhere except the usual socialist bastions.
The last time I checked there were about 18 states that honor my VA permit (as we honor theirs....recipical agreements). If I get a non resident permit (from FL or Utah for example) it will open up even more places that I can carry. As I'm a bit of a homebody I haven't gotten around to doing so yet.
www.vcdl.org used to have more information on reciprical agreements between states.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Damn...I missed this post the first time reading through this thread.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Pull it out really quickly, and display the weapon, while yelling loudly "I've got a GUN!!!"

:wazzup_sg

Re: Florida concealed
 

laser printer+super glue+latex+concealer

Re: Florida concealed
 

Did not need to undergo finger printing here in VA. In fact, no firearm is needed in obtaining a permit. Left the house yesterday morning and forgot it. After 5 minutes, turned around. Murphy's law's a bitch, do not want to tempt fate so.......It is noted here on your DMV record. All my vehicles are in my companies name, save my Blazer that I just sold to buy silver. (mental note: must change title/registration of blazer to company asap!) They can still see that I have a cc permit, but they would have to dig a little harder and reason for being pulled over at least a points related offense.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Some states require you to buy a firearm in order to get a permit? Seems like a Catch 22 of sorts. In order to obtain a firearm you must have a permit, in order to obtain a permit you must have a firearm. Or do you have to stick them up to get it? I'm confused.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Heimd, I have never seen any statute saying that you must give LE your CCL during a traffic stop. I have been in two interactions with LE since getting my FL CCL, one a accident. Both times I did not offer my CCL(was carrying). Was asked one of the times if I had a weapon. Replied yes and had to give up the gun to the cop. The other time it never came up. If you have a source for giving LE your CCL unasked I would be interested in seeing it. Here is a link to FL CCL forums. Enjoy.

http://floridaconcealedcarry.com/Forum/index.php

Re: Florida concealed
 

In the states were discussing, the permit being refered to is a concealed-carry permit. In most of these states, like florida, you do not need a purchase-permit, you can just walk into the store, fill out your FBI background check paper work and buy a gun (with a wait, if there is a wait). In some states you do indeed need to obtain a permit BEFORE you purchase a handgun. In those states, it usualy not to easy to get an additional concealed-carry permit, as they tend to be MAY issue, not shall-issue.

Additionaly, like in florida, now that i have my concealed-carry permit, I have no wait period when I buy guns, long guns or handguns. But I do not NEED the permit to buy. :ok:

Re: Florida concealed
 

Actually , some states require range time as part of the requirement for obtaining the cc permit. Do not know about other states, but here they have a 1 handgun per 30 days rule. If you have a permit to carry concealed, you can buy more than one at a time. Still have to fill out the paperwork here, but your permit is your second ID.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Can't stress that too much. We don't need permits from anyone to buy a gun, anybody can do that (*), we're talking about permits to carry concealed pistols in public.

(*) There are the limitations, much discussed, about felons, mental cases and domestic violence.

In Florida, the 3-day waiting period applies only to pistols, not rifles or shotguns. In Georgia, of which I'm most aware, there is no waiting period for anything.

Re: Florida concealed
 

I'm actually fairly astute in various states gun laws, but neither of you answered my question. He said and I quote "no firearm is needed in obtaining a permit." This statement indicates that in some states a firearm is REQUIRED in order to obtain a CCW.

So I'd like to know what states require you to have a firearm in order to obtain a CCW? I have never heard of a state requiring you purchase a firearm BEFORE you obtain your CCW.

Oh and regards to the range time, florida requires the instructor witness you fire a gun, one shot at the range is sufficient.

Re: Florida concealed
 

In Florida, I had a waiting period for a shotgun I purchased, but I think that was because I bought it at a show. I was surprised and disappointed that I couldn't walk out with it.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Tom D and 3x3, you are both correct. The state laws stipulate that the wait period may be mandated per COUNTY. In many counties in Florida, there is no wait period for long guns, and some used to not have them for any guns period.

3x3 and I both live in a very "anti-gun" county (as far as anti gun goes in florida). That not only requires a wait period for ALL guns, but added 2 additional days to the normal wait period, raising it to 5.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Let me guess, one of the counties in South Florida just full of relocated yankees. Why the hell they want to flee their hell-hole-crime-ridden-corrupt-taxed-to-the limit states to come down to the south just to re institute exactly the same conditions is beyond me. At least the panhandle is still Southern.

We don't want that corrupt statist northern attitude here!

Re: Florida concealed
 

Not just one of those counties, the MAIN county for it!!!

North florida is still quite free of the BS that south florida has. I hate it here, with a bitter passion.

A big problem in it here is our Sheriff, who is a big pusher for "strict, no nonsense gun control" and apparently was one of the key players in getting our wait period extended to 5 days for all guns. Thankfully, in florida, you dont need to sherriff to sign off on your CCW, cause I have a feeling he wouldnt.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Yeah, Charles Bronson is our hero, he'll kick that sheriff's ass.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Re: Florida concealed
 

Curious why not? I figured the gun show class would be quicker with less hassle.

Re: Florida concealed
 

I think that is a typing mistake.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Its noisier at the gun shows, more people at the shows, harder to hear the teacher, etc. So if you want to ask questions, or hear anything, I'd suggest a quieter setting, like in the back room of a gun range.

Also, it means you have to take a trip to a gun range to qualify infront of the instructer AND go some where else to do finger prints. Most gun ranges that offer the class will have a deputy there to do finger prints so its a one stop deal.

Just my opinion, plenty of people gone to the gun shows with success, so which ever you prefer.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Just a couple of things about Florida CCW that haven't been mentioned:

1) The free Hunter Safety Course offered by the FWS is accepted for the concealed carry license.

2) For those who may want some additional protection away from home, but may not want to actually carry a firearm, Florida law allows a loaded firearm to be carried in the vehicle with no permits as long as the gun is enclosed, either in a snapped holster, a snapped gun case, a briefcase, etc.

Re: Florida concealed
 

I found out an interesting fact yesterday, seeing this thread just reminded me. You can apply for an Open Carry permit as well, my customer showed me both of his cards, one concealed, one open. I grew up in Ky and we open carried all the time, no biggie.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Do you have a reference in the law to this? I know I can carry it locked in the case and in the trunk for transportation to the gun range, etc., but was not aware that it could be loaded in a holster under the seat. Even the new "take your gun to work" law, that prohibits employers from preventing employees from having guns in their car at work, only applies to those with a CCW permit.

Re: Florida concealed
 

http://www.nraila.org/statelawpdfs/FLSL.pdf Theres the PDF of the actualy Florida gun statues.


(excerpt from actual code)

Unless covered under the exceptions, it is unlawful to openly carry on
or about the person any firearm, or to carry a concealed firearm on or about
the person without a license.
Exceptions:.....

7. Persons traveling by private conveyance if the weapon is securely
encased, or in a public conveyance if the weapon is securely encased and not
in the person�s manual possession........

....
It is lawful to possess a concealed firearm for self-defense or other lawful
purposes within the interior of a private conveyance, without a license,
if the firearm is securely encased or is otherwise not readily accessible for
immediate use. A firearm other than a handgun may be carried anywhere
in a private conveyance when such firearm is being carried for a lawful use.
This exemption does not authorize the carrying of a firearm concealed on
the person. Employers may not prohibit their employees who are properly
licensed under Florida law to carry a handgun, from storing any legally
owned firearm inside a locked, privately-owned motor


----------------------------------------------------------------------
Securely encased means just that. A holster under your seat, as far as I have been told is NOT securely encased, but having it in a hard case on your front seat is. Or, better yet, in a closed glove box. Notice, it doesnt say LOCKED it just says "securely encased".

Re: Florida concealed
 

I'll vouch for Heimdal. When I first got my Fl drivers license, my Ga CCW wasn't valid anymore. I called local Sheriff to get the lay of the land.

Same law in Georgia BTW.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Wrong info

goes by counties, depending on the county there maybe 3-5 day waiting for
rifles

Re: Florida concealed
 

Whoops, I asked at a local shop and assumed the answer was statewide.

Maybe this is a case where Georgia gun law is superior to Florida. There is a state law passed a couple of years back that says that all gun control legislation will originate at the state. Local cities, counties and whatnot cannot legislate on the matter. A result of all the local tinpots across the state passing their own version of gun control created such a patchwork of rules that it was impossible to keep up. So the state created Georgia Gun Law, and it's the same everywhere, even in the heart of downtown Atlanta (to the horror of the Atlanta pols).

I wonder to what extent Florida local jurisdictions can use state law as just the starting point and pile on extra stuff.

Re: Florida concealed
 

Tom, I applied for my permit about a year ago. It took over four months for it to arrive. Could not believe any agency could be so slow and under staffed.

Re: Florida concealed
 

From Florida Statutes:

790.001 Definitions

(17) "Securely encased" means in a glove compartment, whether or not locked; snapped in a holster; in a gun case, whether or not locked; in a zippered gun case; or in a box or container which requires a lid or cover to be opened for access.