Just wanted to ask one question. First off, this is my first post here and I have not owned a gun before but am interested in either a single or double action revolver. Do you need a concealed carry permit in the state of Florida to legally carry a handgun in the passenger compartment of your car? I don't plan to carry on me, only in my vehicle for self defense purposes. Just curious. I had some problems finding a website that had the rules on it. I was curious if one of you fine gents would happen to know.
Question about concealed carry.
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welcome to the forum. You do need a license to carry in the passenger compartment of the car because the passenger compartment of the car as I am sure you are aware, is anywhere a passenger would sit inside the car. That being said, you do not need a license to have it in a glove box or it does not have to be in a glove box as long as it is "securily encased" as defined by florida statute.
here is a link:
http://www.flsenate.gov/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&URL=Ch0790/ch0790.htm
notice 790.25 Lawful ownership, possession, and use of firearms and other weapons.--
(5) POSSESSION IN PRIVATE CONVEYANCE.--Notwithstanding subsection (2), it is lawful and is not a violation of s. 790.01 for a person 18 years of age or older to possess a concealed firearm or other weapon for self-defense or other lawful purpose within the interior of a private conveyance, without a license, if the firearm or other weapon is securely encased or is otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use. Nothing herein contained prohibits the carrying of a legal firearm other than a handgun anywhere in a private conveyance when such firearm is being carried for a lawful use. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the carrying of a concealed firearm or other weapon on the person. This subsection shall be liberally construed in favor of the lawful use, ownership, and possession of firearms and other weapons, including lawful self-defense as provided in s. 776.012.
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If I might add, "securely encased" is defined pretty loosely to allow quite a bit of freedom. By statute: "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.
center console as well, basically, you can keep your gun anywhere that you have to open something before you can grab your gun, center console, glove box, COM safe box, OR, you can get a holster with a thumbreak and keep the gun any place concealed in your car, EXCEPT on your person
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Get a copy of "Florida Firearms" by Jon H. Gutmacher. Library may have one. It answers a lot of our questions from a legal perspective. If you have a friend that shoots, he or she may have one.
Fortunately it is still a free country and you can think what you want, but what's the purpose of having a gun for self defense in the car only? You know and I know that fate doesn't give you an appointment calendar. The reality is you are more likely to need a firearm and not have one when you are not in your car or your home. If you are really serious about self defense with a firearm I suggest you learn about them and how to use them. The choice to get a CCW is a personal one, no one can tell you what to do. I for one see little purpose in keeping a firearm surely encased in a car and hope I have time to get to it when I need it and only while I'm in a car. Regards and good luck. In any event I hope to God you never have to use it.
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First of all - welcome, Stevenj. You probably found this site like the rest of us did and that is to find answers to your concealed carry questions.
Like you, I had never owned a gun before yet felt the need for having something for personal protection. And like you, at first I also thought of carrying in my car because I seem to spend so much time there. (I'm a stay at home mom). We all had to start somewhere and you finding this site shows that you are awakening to the world of concealed carry.
I believe what you are going to find is that once you find your answers to car carry that will cause you to broaden your thinking a bit and also wonder about house carry then graduate to carrying on your person. For some of us this gradual thinking process takes time to go from one phase to another. What matters is that you continue to ask questions allowing yourself to grow into accepting the answers. While you may not think of carrying right now I will suggest that you do not close the door to that possibility in the future. For now start with your car carry. Pay particular attention to getting your license as it will make carry issues so much less complicated than not having your license. While you wait on your license work on educating yourself in the world of concealed carry.
I will second the advice on getting "Florida Firearms" by Jon H. Gutmacher. It seems to be the bible for gun owners in Florida. Gun shops also carry this book. It will answer questions you didn't even know you had.
While the folks here can answer your questions on guns most of us here do not have the legal background to specifically answer these types of questions but will keep referring you to Gutmacher's book.
Again, welcome to the site. There is plenty of good reading here to help educate you in the world of concealed carry.
Like you, I had never owned a gun before yet felt the need for having something for personal protection. And like you, at first I also thought of carrying in my car because I seem to spend so much time there. (I'm a stay at home mom). We all had to start somewhere and you finding this site shows that you are awakening to the world of concealed carry.
I believe what you are going to find is that once you find your answers to car carry that will cause you to broaden your thinking a bit and also wonder about house carry then graduate to carrying on your person. For some of us this gradual thinking process takes time to go from one phase to another. What matters is that you continue to ask questions allowing yourself to grow into accepting the answers. While you may not think of carrying right now I will suggest that you do not close the door to that possibility in the future. For now start with your car carry. Pay particular attention to getting your license as it will make carry issues so much less complicated than not having your license. While you wait on your license work on educating yourself in the world of concealed carry.
I will second the advice on getting "Florida Firearms" by Jon H. Gutmacher. It seems to be the bible for gun owners in Florida. Gun shops also carry this book. It will answer questions you didn't even know you had.
While the folks here can answer your questions on guns most of us here do not have the legal background to specifically answer these types of questions but will keep referring you to Gutmacher's book.
Again, welcome to the site. There is plenty of good reading here to help educate you in the world of concealed carry.
Where did you get that piece of information from?
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Federal Gun Free School Zone Act of 1996. Doesn't apply to private property or if you have a CWFL.
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