Florida Permitless Carry Starts July 1st

A majority of states now have permitless carry, so gun-rights opponents cannot say the average law-abiding citizen wants more gun control.

Starting tomorrow, July 1st, Florida will join the growing ranks of states that have welcomed permitless carry or constitutional carry.

Recent Permitless Carry States

What are the most recent states to allow you to carry a gun without a permit? In January of this year, Alabama made it legal to carry a gun without a permit. Last year, it became legal in Indiana, Georgia, and Ohio to carry a gun with no permit. In 2021, the same thing happened in Utah, Montana, Iowa, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Texas. There is a push for the trend to continue to grow. View all Permitless Carry states with our Concealed Carry Maps.

Florida Permitless Carry

I talked with someone I know out of Florida, Stuart Klearman, a retired police officer who wrote the book, Infringed: Assaults on our Natural & Constitutional Rights, and asked him the following:

Do you think Florida’s permitless carry is a good thing or a bad thing?

Florida’s new permit-less concealed carry, which falls short of true Constitutional Carry but is a positive step, takes effect. Opponents are, of course, up in arms just like they were when states started passing Concealed Weapons Permit laws.

Many people don’t know the difference between “Permitless Carry” and “Constitutional Carry.” Can you explain it in simple terms?

True Constitutional Carry is the weapon of your choice, open or concealed. The operative clause of the 2nd Amendment grants absolutely no qualifiers or exceptions. The common retort gun control advocates use is “well-regulated.” In the 18th and 19th centuries, it meant operating in a normal or proper state, like a watch keeping accurate time. SCOTUS reflected this in Heller, saying well-regulated could mean nothing more than trained and disciplined. Permitless carry still has restrictions, depending on the state’s law. In Florida, permitless carry is only for a handgun, and open carry remains banned except while hunting/fishing/camping..something most police don’t even know.”

I always found it interesting that you can carry a long gun or, for that matter, any legal firearm while fishing, hunting, or camping in Florida.

790.25(3) – “Lawful use” authorizes the conceal carry and open carry of firearms while fishing, hunting, or camping, or while going to or returning from fishing, hunting or camping.

What are your thoughts on criminals having easier access with permitless carry?

As you know, CWPs (Concealed Weapons Permit) have caused no problems for law enforcement or society. One thing is certain, for criminals, nothing changes. They were illegally carrying firearms before this new law and will continue to do so after this law takes effect. Laws only affect law-abiding citizens.

Some people say permitless carry will make it more dangerous for law enforcement. What do you think?

From an officer safety standpoint, it should change nothing. All in all, I see little real change as a result of this new law. Mostly, I think it will be “business as usual.”

Carrying a Firearm Works for Self-Protection

Carrying a firearm works; all you need to do is look at the increasing number of people who have used one for self-defense.

You Should Still Get Training Even Without Though You Dont Need a Permit

As a firearms instructor, though, I can not stress enough that even though you can carry without a permit, get some training and practice. Many anti-gunners think people will abuse the no permit needed laws. However, there are a lot of people still getting their licenses. I am getting more people requesting classes in Texas than in Chicago, and you would think it would be the other way around.

Be safe, learn the law, and carry responsibly.