[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

I thought it would be a good idea to post a link to the government website that speaks about the gun laws of the great state of Florida.

Please, if you decide to purchase a weapon, do so responsibly, store it so that children or someone who does not KNOW how to handle a firearm can not get a hold of it.

Educate yourself about the laws AND please if you carry your weapon on you, get a license to do so.

If we, the law abiding members of society abide by the laws set down by the state, we will give less reason to people who are against private people owning guns.

The first way to protect yourself is to educate yourself.

Concealed Weapons or Firearm Program - Division of Licensing, DOACS

[LM1]

This book is pretty much the gold standard for this issue in the state of Florida and should be owned by everyone who owns a firearm for self defense.

Florida Firearms -- Law, Use & Ownership BOOK FOR SALE by Author JON H. GUTMACHER, Esq.

[CoventryDude]

Great info, thank you.

If I could add that getting a permit to carry was relatively easy for me to do as an out of stater. Having made a few wrong turns and winding up in bad areas on two occasions while visiting it was comforting to know I was legally enabled to protect my family.

[Lilybeans]

Originally Posted by CoventryDude

Great info, thank you.

If I could add that getting a permit to carry was relatively easy for me to do as an out of stater. Having made a few wrong turns and winding up in bad areas on two occasions while visiting it was comforting to know I was legally enabled to protect my family.

Even without a permit, anyone can have a gun in their car.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

I had read about that but it must be concealed in a certain very specific way. For me personally it would be easier and I personally think better to go ahead and get a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

[LM1]

There is no "very specific way".
You're probably referencing the "Three Steps" myth which cops have actually arrested people for violating, only to find out later that it isn't even a law. The "three steps rule" is a myth that holds in order for a firearm to be legal in a vehicle in Florida, it must be "three steps" away.
Say, in a holster, unloaded and in a glovebox... Or whatever variant thereof.
Classic example of a very, VERY widely believed piece of misinformation.

In a vehicle or private conveyance, Florida law stipulates that the firearm must be "securely encased". That simple. It can be loaded, cocked and ready to fire with the safety off. As long as it's "securely encased" in something, you're legal. If your firearm is securely encased but the cop arrests you anyway, he just broke the law and you will win a darn nice civil suit.

That which constitutes "secure encasement" is elaborated upon in the book referenced above.

[diddiyo]

I'm originally from Europe and I have no idea about gun laws in Florida. But lots of my friends told me that they've "heard" that you can shoot somebody if you feel threatened. Say, somebody is running over your lawn or something.

true?

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by LM1

There is no "very specific way".
You're probably referencing the "Three Steps" myth which cops have actually arrested people for violating, only to find out later that it isn't even a law. The "three steps rule" is a myth that holds in order for a firearm to be legal in a vehicle in Florida, it must be "three steps" away.
Say, in a holster, unloaded and in a glovebox... Or whatever variant thereof.
Classic example of a very, VERY widely believed piece of misinformation.

In a vehicle or private conveyance, Florida law stipulates that the firearm must be "securely encased". That simple. It can be loaded, cocked and ready to fire with the safety off. As long as it's "securely encased" in something, you're legal. If your firearm is securely encased but the cop arrests you anyway, he just broke the law and you will win a darn nice civil suit.

That which constitutes "secure encasement" is elaborated upon in the book referenced above.

I had read that the three steps thing was not true but that it had to be securely encased. What I had read talked about what that meant, for example if you get stopped by a cop and you go for your registration in your glove box and that is where you leave your weapon securely encased then once its open, its no longer securely encased.

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Originally Posted by diddiyo

I'm originally from Europe and I have no idea about gun laws in Florida. But lots of my friends told me that they've "heard" that you can shoot somebody if you feel threatened. Say, somebody is running over your lawn or something.

true?

My best advice is to read the information because I wouldn't want to give out wrong information. There is some truth to what you are saying but there is alot more to it then just that.

[CoventryDude]

Originally Posted by Lilybeans

Even without a permit, anyone can have a gun in their car.

thanks for the info!

Being from the gun unfriendly area of New England I like to have the permit- I may win the trial and lawsuit but I'd prefer to avoid it all together if I could, and it's so easy to get.