To be eligible to purchase a firearm in Florida, an individual must:
not be ineligible under the federal regulations
be 21 years or older (however 18-21 year olds can purchase rifle or shotgun if they are a law enforcement or correctional officer)
must be a Florida resident
must meet Florida felony requirements
More information on Federal Firearm Licensees (FFL), as well as what each license type can do, can be found on our FFL home page.
We also have a very helpful
FFL search tool if you want to search by postal code, state, business name, or even license number.
Does Florida Require a Background Check to purchase a Firearm?
Yes, Florida has a state law that requires a background check prior to the sale of a firearm.
Background checks only apply to sales of firearms by dealers. Private sales are not covered.
Owning a firearm in Florida
Does Florida have a Gun Free Zone law?
Yes, Florida has a defined list of gun free zones:
-any place of nuisance such as a house or place of prostitution, any place where a state law is violated
any police, sheriff or highway patrol station
courthouses and courtrooms
polling places
meetings of any governing body or public school district
meetings of the legislature or legislative committees
school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms
school administration buildings
any portion of a place licensed to sell alcohol for consumption
any area technical center
any college or university facility
passenger terminal or sterile area of an airport
anywhere that carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law
Does Florida Require a Safety Course to own a Firearm?
Yes, you are required to take a safety course prior to owning a firearm in Florida.
any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
any National Rifle Association firearms safety or training course
any firearms safety course available to the general public offered by a law enforcement agency, firearms training school, etc. provided the instructors are certified by the NRA, Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, or Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services
any firearms safety course offered for security guards, investigators, special deputies, or division or subdivision of law enforcement or security enforcement.
any course conducted by a state-certified NRA certified instructor