Non-resident Student residing in Florida

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flstudent45

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Hello, I am a medical student from New Jersey that moved to Florida last year. I wish to purchase a handgun however I do not have a Florida Driver's License nor do I own property in Florida, as I am renting an apartment. I plan to stay in Florida for at least 3 more years and was wondering what are my options for purchasing a handgun in Florida.
 
Know the laws for the state of Florida. I am in Georgia and understand that they are very much pro gun. If you like revolvers, consider a .38 special or a 9 mm in an automatic as a minimum. If you have the opportunity, handle a number of weapons and fire them prior to purchasing something that you won't want to keep.
 
Sounds like you should make yourself a Florida resident. Living in an apartment is enough. If you wind up moving back to NJ you can bring your handgun with you and don't have to register it when you get back to NJ.

Trying different guns as Pizza Boy says is a good idea. If you want special if I can recommendations IMO a 4" 357 is just about the best all around handgun there is. A Glock 19 is the best all around 9 mm AFAIC.
 
flstudent45 said:
Hello, I am a medical student from New Jersey that moved to Florida last year. I wish to purchase a handgun however I do not have a Florida Driver's License nor do I own property in Florida, as I am renting an apartment. I plan to stay in Florida for at least 3 more years and was wondering what are my options for purchasing a handgun in Florida.
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flstudent, Establishing yourself as a FL resident is your best bet and will remove any ambiguity about your "home state". But be very careful if you decide to move back to NJ with them as NJ's firearms laws are very restrictive. At a minimum you will need to get a FID (aka firearms ID). I am not clear on if each firearm "is registered" or just if the "owners are registered" via the FID. See the link below:

http://www.njlaws.com/unlawful-possession-weapon-2c39-5b.html?id=1934&a=

chuck
 
Why aren't you a resident.
At the very least it would save you a TON of money on car insurance not to mention not having to pay NJ income tax.

AFS
 
Did the same thing, went from NJ to Florida to go to college (FIT) and then went back.

PM sent on how I handled things.


Willie

.
 
I was told, when I was in school, if you want to buy a handgun in a state you need an official document from a state entity saying that you live there. This means as little as a letter, on a state institution's letterhead stating that you live in that state. This letter would then be presented to the FFL at the time of purchase and because the address does not match your state ID card, they have to call it in and talk to a real live ATF person. It helps out if you are in very good communication with the FFL throughout the process, making sure they are on the same page. The letter would look something like this:

(official letterhead)

To whom it may concern,
Joe Bob is attending school, enrolled in full time classes, at Bucktooth State University College School and lives at 123 Jimmy Joe Ln, Bear Grease, AR 98761.
Sincerely,
Bobby Sue Jenkins
Administration Coordinator

I am not a lawyer and things change all the time, I do know however, this was still legal last year. This is much easier than getting a license and if you do not want to renounce your citizenship to the Peoples Oligarchy of South York, it might be the way to go.
 
A rent, water or electric bill receipt might do it.
And, if it does, pretty sure that Florida has no restrictions for person to person sales between state residents.
It shouldn't be hard to find out for sure, though.
 
When my daughter left for FSU in 95, she just became a FL resident - made life simpler - and cheaper with no state tax. Once a resident you can buy anything you want whenever you want - even hollow point ammo...
 
25cschaefer, how would I go about asking about the legality of this? Would just walking into a FFL and asking the regulations be enough? Thanks for all the help everybody!
 
Cheaper tuition too?

I dont know about Med school, but when I was in veterinary school all of the out of state students got their in state residency as soon as possible because in state tuition was cheaper.
 
You could keep your NJ DL if you wanted and get a Florida ID card to prove residency there. Ask at the DL office what's required to get one. Most likely car registration, insurance statement, utility bill, or other government doc would suffice. However, look at all the tax implications of becoming a Florida resident before making that decision.

You are living in Florida with the intent to maintain a home there, not visiting for a week. That satisfies the federal requirement which says nothing about how long you intend to remain there in the future. Who knows, you might get to like Florida's climate and decide to remain there after school.
 
I did the same thing when I started attending school in VT. I was told to get a letter on school stationary to show residency and permission to buy firearms while attending school. Instead I signed up for a cell phone and had the bill sent to my VT student mailbox, never needed a VT license.

You can do the same thing, except get a FL license. FL does not do permit-less carry.
 
You need a NJ FID to:

1. Buy long guns.
2. To buy handgun ammo although many retailers require it for all ammo sales.

Having a FID in NJ does nothing for any handgun owner except the ability to buy ammo. You are very restricted in NJ as far as where you can transport a handgun. A FID allows you more options in NJ. You can get a NJ FID as an out of state residents through NJSP.

You have established a residence in FL already. Get the FL DL unless there is some compelling reason you need to maintain NJ residency. Things may change and you may never go back to NJ.
 
GRIZ22 said:
You need a NJ FID to:

1. Buy long guns.
2. To buy handgun ammo although many retailers require it for all ammo sales.

Having a FID in NJ does nothing for any handgun owner except the ability to buy ammo. You are very restricted in NJ as far as where you can transport a handgun. A FID allows you more options in NJ. You can get a NJ FID as an out of state residents through NJSP.

You have established a residence in FL already. Get the FL DL unless there is some compelling reason you need to maintain NJ residency. Things may change and you may never go back to NJ.
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"Where you can transport a handgun" up to and including visiting home. Do not bring your gun from Florida to your house in NJ and park the car, if you don't have an nj fid, or you are in trouble. Do not bring gun to your parents house, ever. Not covered by NJ exemptions except for direct transport from your house to range or other exemptions. Staying over night in a hotel or a house that isn't yours is not exempted and you can be arrested and charged. True for long guns as well.
 
dmurdach said:
I dont know about Med school, but when I was in veterinary school all of the out of state students got their in state residency as soon as possible because in state tuition was cheaper.
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yep. changing residence to FL could be beneficial in several ways.
 
Florida gun issues....

This topic came up a few months ago on the forum.
Id advise converting your DL to Florida & to become a Florida resident if you want to buy/own/carry firearms w/o a huge hassle.
Just obtain your class E DL, apply for a Florida/W concealed license. If you have documented training or a certificate from a qualified source in NJ, that should expedite your CCW application in Florida.
As noted, Florida is fairly 2A + & you can carry in about 37 other states(check www.handgunlaw.us often for changes & statues). Florida residents do not pay state income tax either. :D
If you plan to reside or attend classes for another 3 years or so, Id go that route.

Here are a few sources that might help; www.gorenew.com www.myflorida.com www.mylicensesite.com www.nra.org www.gunlawguide.com www.floridafirearmslaw.com .
Note; schools & educational programs may vary but to my limited knowledge, a student can keep firearms secured inside their vehicles on school property.
About a year ago, a student at a campus near Daytona Beach Florida got into a physical confrontation with another student by his motor vehicle. The victim(student) reached in & drew a handgun pointing it at the attacker.
The administrators at first wanted to expel the victim but upon review/checking the state laws-statues, the campus changed the SOPs & made a press release that the victim/student was IAW Florida law(s). I think the attacker was charged with several felonies.

Even if you don't plan to CCW or want to store a loaded weapon in your vehicle for personal protection, Id still advise obtaining a CCW(W in Florida). It will document your "concern" for acting IAW state laws & that you had safety/safe gun handling training. ;)
The W license is valid for 7/seven years & does not include the holder's home address. The personal information is not open source or available to the general public.

Rusty
 
As far as federal law is concerned, you are already a Florida resident.

Domicile is a legally defined term. You can only have one domicile.

Resident is not defined in the applicable federal statutes. You can have more than one residence, and can rotate between multiple residences. If you live in a state, such as renting an apartment, and have spent time there, and intend to continue to return there, you have a residence there.

I would expect your friendly local gun store to be familiar with state regulations.

But as far as your Form 4473 and federal law are concerned, you're probably good to go.

http://www.guncite.com/journals/hardfopa.html This article is by a prominent gun rights attorney, and has been cited in several high-level gun cases.
 
in florida,you can get a valid in fla only drivers license and file a declaration of domicle with the county the college is in.
you can get a florida ccw permit also.bring copy of declaration of domicile.bring lease also.if you are on college grounds,you need to check their regulations.

fla d/l application requires original birth cert,orig ss card,lease,bills from electric/water,phone,car registration,insurance bills etc,stating your name an address.
https://www.pbctax.com/redirect_DL
https://www.pbctax.com/sites/default/files/pdf/ENG_checklist_envelope_2013-04-02.pdf
http://www.flhsmv.gov/html/CertificationofAddressHSMV71120.pdf form for property manager
 
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OP,
A friendly FFL should do most of the leg work for you, they want to make money. If you go in and talk to them and they have any questions on the legality of it, they should call the ATF, they know the lingo better and how to talk with the folks better. All you should have to do is ask your college adviser for a letter stating your current domicile address be it; dorm room, house, box, apartment, or sex offender rehab center (Okay, that last one might preclude you from owning a gun but you get the point.)
 
No reason not to change residency. FL saves you money due to no income tax. I keep FL residency even though I don't live there anymore. One benefit of being in the military. The CCW process is straightforward as well.

On another note, when I was stationed in Texas, I simply got a state issued ID card to purchase a handgun there. You could possibly do the same in FL.

Plus, texas is a very cool state and I thought it was pretty sweet to have a texas ID card.
 
flstudent45 Hello, I am a medical student from New Jersey that moved to Florida last year. I wish to purchase a handgun however I do not have a Florida Driver's License nor do I own property in Florida, as I am renting an apartment. I plan to stay in Florida for at least 3 more years and was wondering what are my options for purchasing a handgun in Florida.
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For the purpose of buying a firearm ATF considers you a resident of the state where you make your home. Owning property or having a FL drivers license is not required.

On the 4473 you list your current FLORIDA residence address and provide the dealer with your government issued photo ID AND alternate government issued documentation that shows your name and residence address in Florida. The instructions in the Form 4473 clearly explain what would be required.


AirForceShooter Why aren't you a resident....
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He IS a Florida resident because he lives there.


g.willikers A rent, water or electric bill receipt might do it.
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Only if issued by a government entity.
 
Lawyer....

I'm not a sworn LE officer or lawyer but I don't think you can have(possess) 2 or more state IDs at one time.
Some states ask for your old identification(driver or non-driver) or tell you it must be destroyed/no longer valid.

I wouldn't think you could get a valid DL in one state then get a valid non-driver/state ID card in another. :confused:

RS
 
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