Florida CCW License Process

[Madcap_Magician]

I have to give a hat tip to the Florida Department of Agriculture.

My wife and I are taking the kids to Wyoming for Grand Tetons National Park for a week in July... first major family vacation since, um, ever.

Wyoming doesn't recognize Minnesota carry permits, but does recognize Florida non-resident permits, so I started the process.

Florida requirements are both greater and lesser than Minnesota permits- the administrative requirements are higher, since Florida permits are photo IDs, and you need to be fingerprinted. But Florida goes out of their way to help you out with the process, even if you do it completely by mail like I did.

Interestingly I didn't have to redo any education- almost any firearms course seems to count, and unlike Minnesota, course validity doesn't expire, so I literally just photocopied a five-year-old class certificate and mailed it in.

1. They will mail you a full application packet, including fingerprint cards, at no cost. The packet includes a unique tracking number that you can use to verify the status of your application online.
2. Once you mail it in, you can check the status of your application online, by phone, or by live internet chat.
3. And most importantly... they have 90 days to issue a permit, but mine was approved and sent for printing/mailing in four weeks from receipt of my application packet.

That's some nice customer service there.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Florida has a larger population than New York, and Florida's state budget is half of New York's. In spite of that, state government runs smoothly. There is a lot to like about this state, you should come on your next family vacation!

 

[MedWheeler]

I did my original before the Obama-rush, and it went pretty smooth, but it has indeed gotten even smoother since then. My renewal visit, which I did in person just because it's only an hour from my home and it's a "one-stop, do-all" deal, took literally minutes.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

Florida has a larger population than New York, and Florida's state budget is half of New York's. In spite of that, state government runs smoothly. There is a lot to like about this state, you should come on your next family vacation!

Funny you mention this on account of two days ago we cancelled our reservations in Wyoming and booked for Florida... taking the kids to Legoland and spending a couple nights in St. Pete's/Clearwater.

 

[armabill]

My only beef with Florida is why do you have to do the finger prints again upon renewal? Isn't once enough? I understand the pic as we get older, we change but the finger prints don't change.

 

[PCFlorida]

Are you sure about that? Perhaps it is different for out of state, but in state we don't have to redo the fingerprints. I just did a renewal in December.

 

[25-5]

I am out of state and just received my FL renewal packet. I double checked the instructions, and I must redo the finger print. It is a bit puzzling.

 

[Bad Ninja]

Florida has a larger population than New York, and Florida's state budget is half of New York's. In spite of that, state government runs smoothly. There is a lot to like about this state, you should come on your next family vacation!

Florida also does it without a state income tax.

There sure is alot to like about FL.

 

[bikemutt]

Wyoming doesn't recognize Minnesota carry permits, but does recognize Florida non-resident permits, so I started the process.

That's why I went with non-resident AZ. Even though AZ is Constitutional Carry they still issue permits, including non-resident, which WY recognizes.

 

[Jack B.]

My only beef with Florida is why do you have to do the finger prints again upon renewal? Isn't once enough? I understand the pic as we get older, we change but the finger prints don't change.

They say that I can renew online. No finger prints that way.

 

[Sebastian the Ibis]

Funny you mention this on account of two days ago we cancelled our reservations in Wyoming and booked for Florida... taking the kids to Legoland and spending a couple nights in St. Pete's/Clearwater.

Wise man. Your kids will love it.

My only beef with Florida is why do you have to do the finger prints again upon renewal? Isn't once enough? I understand the pic as we get older, we change but the finger prints don't change.

The fingerprints are to confirm that the new picture of you, is actually you. I don't remember re-doing the fingerprints, but I am in-state.

Florida also does it without a state income tax.

There sure is alot to like about FL.

Income tax, property tax, sales tax, stamp tax, impact fees, park admission fees, parking tickets or whatever, the state has to pay for itself somehow. If the state is spending the money, we are paying for it one way or the other.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

My only beef with Florida is why do you have to do the finger prints again upon renewal? Isn't once enough? I understand the pic as we get older, we change but the finger prints don't change.

It is mildly annoying because there is no place in my county to do paper and ink fingerprint cards, but I can drag myself to the sheriff's office the next county over every seven years, especially given how easy Florida makes most everything else. Heck Minnesota permits are only good for five years.

Got my permit yesterday. Very pleased with the service.

 

[MedWheeler]

^^ I wasn't printed on renewal, either, but I'm also in-state.

 

[Madcap_Magician]

^^ I wasn't printed on renewal, either, but I'm also in-state.

Fortunately since they're good for seven years, I will just put it out of sight and out if mind until 2024.

 

[PCFlorida]

It is mildly annoying because there is no place in my county to do paper and ink fingerprint cards, but I can drag myself to the sheriff's office the next county over every seven years, especially given how easy Florida makes most everything else. Heck Minnesota permits are only good for five years.

Got my permit yesterday. Very pleased with the service.

Yep, same for me. I drove up to Lake County and got it done in 10 minutes. Fantastic! Will see them in 7 years.

 

[JellyJar]

I checked on handgunlaw.us and Wyoming honors Alabama permits. Here is Alabama there is no training or finger print requirements and we issue to 18 year old. Of course in Wyoming you still need to be 21 but what can it be about Minnesota's permits that Wyoming doesn't like?