According to Article 1, Section 8 of the Florida Constitution, a person has the right to keep and bear arms in self defense.  Article 1, Section 8 reads :“(a) The right of the people to keep and bear arms in defense of themselves and of the lawful authority of the state shall not be infringed, except that the manner of bearing arms may be regulated by law.  (b) There shall be a mandatory period of three days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, between the purchase and delivery at retail of any handgun. For the purposes of this section, “purchase” means the transfer of money or other valuable consideration to the retailer, and “handgun” means a firearm capable of being carried and used by one hand, such as a pistol or revolver. Holders of a concealed weapon permit as prescribed in Florida law shall not be subject to the provisions of this paragraph.  (c) . . . anyone violating the provisions of subsection (b) shall be guilty of a felony. (d) This restriction shall not apply to a trade in of another handgun.”  Also, the Florida legislature has recognized the constitutional right in a policy incorporated in the Florida Weapons and Firearms Statute.  According to the policy, adult Florida citizens have the right to retain their constitutional right to keep and bear firearms for hunting and sporting activities and for defense of self, family, home, and business, and as collectibles.

The laws relating to Florida firearms are stated under Florida Weapons and Firearms Statute Section 790.001 et seq.  Florida state permit is not required to purchase rifles, shotguns, handguns or long guns.  Under Section 790.0655(1), when purchasing a handgun there is a mandatory three-day waiting period, which is three days, excluding weekends and legal holidays, between purchase and delivery.  The three day waiting period is not applicable when a handgun is being purchased by a holder of a concealed weapons permit or it is a trade-in of another handgun.  Under Section 790.0655(2), it is a felony of third degree for a purchaser to obtain delivery of a handgun by fraud, false pretense, or false representation.

Main government offices that deal with issues relating to firearms are:

Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services,

Division of Licensing

P.O. Box 6687

Tallahassee, Florida 32314-6687

Phone: (850) 488-5381

email: springb@doacs.state.fl.us

and

Office of Attorney General

State of Florida The Capital

Tallahasse, Florida 32399-1050

Phone: 850-414-3300

Fax: 850-410-1630

email: ag@oag.state.fl.us