SHARE
On April 3, 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed HB 543, making Florida the 26th state to pass a Constitutional carry law. There are a lot of misconceptions floating around about what this law actually means. Is Florida now a free for all like the wild west? No, there are still common sense stipulations in place. The main change is law abiding citizens can carry a concealed firearm without having to pay the government for a license.
There have been rumors that if this bill is passed, people will no longer have to pass a background check to purchase a firearm. This is simply not true. A recent article on NBC News explains, “Under the new law, you need to pass a background check, provide ID, be at least 21 years old, and be a citizen of Florida. Convicted felons and those with other certain crimes on their record are automatically disqualified to conceal carry.”
It is important to note that Constitutional carry means citizens who legally obtained a gun have the right given in our Constitution to carry, but they still have to be concealed. You can also still get a carry license if you choose to.
The new legislation goes into effect on July 1, 2023. Anyone carrying should know how to use their weapon. Safety courses are not required under this new law. It is up to the individual to be responsible and take a class. This is strongly encouraged so that if a situation arises, you can safely use your firearm and save lives.
