Florida gun laws

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Chevelle SS

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I'm currently a Michigan resident but will be living in Florida for a few months. I was wondering if I can bring any of my firearms with me? I don't have a cpl so I'm not worried about any "carry issues". Also, any good ranges near the Jacksonville area?
 
Jax Tactical....

I'd check www.handgunlaw.us & maybe get a 2014 copy of www.gunlawguide.com . It's a handy listing of US gun laws & statues in different locations. The book is written by a atty who knows the industry/legal sources.
In short you can not "open carry" in the sunshine state unless you are camping or fishing.
If you don't have a valid MI resident CCW license/gun permit, then you can't carry a concealed firearm or other non lethal weapon(sap, taser, OC spray, etc) while in FL.
I think you can have firearms in your vehicle, as long as they are encased & not laying in plain view. A console or glove box can be a valid container as is a holster but I would not leave any loaded firearms in your personal vehicle for extended periods. Break-ins & thefts where tourists or business travel people are targets are common.
If you want, you may get a Florida non resident license(Florida uses licenses too, not permits). See; www.mylicensesite.com . The fees are approx $117.00. I got my Florida W/concealed license in 24 calendar days. :D
I also paid online & did the E-fingerprints.
As for J-Ville ranges, Id see Jax Tactical or contact Swanson's Armory. SA is run by a former SWAT cop & gunsmith. The shop can advise you on decent ranges/gun shops in Duval/St John's County Florida.
 
To touch on what Rusty offered regarding in-vehicle possession, Florida does indeed permit a loaded handgun in a vehicle (no carry license situation) provided that the handgun is "securely encased or otherwise not readily accessible." The phrase "securely encased" is defined in the statute as being in a container or compartment that requires a lid, door, or cover to be opened for access, or in a snapped holster or zippered gun case. Even a pizza box or shoe box (closed) on the passenger seat meets the standard. However, the container must not be on your person, or you run afoul of the general statute prohibiting concealed-carry by non-licensees.

Long guns may be carried pretty much anywhere in a vehicle, and there is no "securely-encased" requirement. But, if they are both "concealed" and "on one's person or otherwise readily accessible", you again run the risk of being in violation of that concealed-carry prohibition. If it's on your person and openly visible, you run afoul of the open-carry prohibition (except in the cases of the activities Rusty quoted.)
 
I live just north of Jacksonville and spend a fair amount of time there and I can say that as long as you stay away from the northwest corner of the city you will be fine, but still keep your eyes open as we have been having problems with flash mobs.

I don't know of many ranges in the area, I do know there is one on U.S. 17 just north of the airport, and a couple of others in the city proper. I would call the shops referenced in the earlier post for more information. Enjoy your time in Duval County and take the time to go to Amelia Island and down to St. Augustine as both are beautiful areas with lots of history. If you need anymore assistance please PM me and I will try to help if I can.
 
I may be wrong but I don't think a pizza or shoe boxes qualify for securely encased. Just as a gun in a holster without a snap concealed does not constitute securely encased.

http://www.floridafirearmslaw.com I've found his book to be a great resource for the laws here in Florida.
 
Not a problem bringing your guns.......all NFA rules apply.....Rusty and Med gave you good advice.......
 
smovlov said:
I may be wrong but I don't think a pizza or shoe boxes qualify for securely encased. Just as a gun in a holster without a snap concealed does not constitute securely encased.

We have been through this territory before:

http://handgunlaw.us/states/florida.pdf

www.handgunlaw.us
790.001
Definitions.
--
As Used in This Chapter, Except Where the
Context Otherwise Requires:
(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 closed box or container which requires a lid
or cover to be opened for access.

.
 
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