Can you Conceal Carry in an Airport in Florida?
In Florida, you are allowed to carry a concealed weapon in public without a permit. It is called “permitless carry.” However, this permission is not applicable everywhere. Florida legislation specifically describes certain locations and situations when carrying concealed weapons is against the law.
While the permitless carry law upholds the right of American citizens to keep and bear arms, it also puts logical restrictions on where it is allowed. Understanding where you can or cannot bring your weapon can help you avoid penalties. Failing to adhere to the gun laws could lead to felony charges.
Florida’s Permitless Carry Law
Starting July 2023, Florida gun owners have the right to carry a concealed weapon without getting a special permit for it. Before, to conceal carry, you had to get the Concealed Weapon License. After the law went into effect, Florida became the 26th state to implement “Constitutional Carry” legislation.
However, to prevent accidents, the permitless carry law includes certain restrictions. The most important one is the locations where a person cannot carry a concealed weapon. They are:
- Airports
- Detention facilities
- Career centers
- Courthouses
- Police stations
- Polling places
- Places that dispense alcoholic beverages
While the need to get a permit for carrying concealed weapons is gone, other laws regulating weapons are still in place. That is why it is important to learn and understand each one of the complex Florida and federal gun laws. Otherwise, penalties can be significant.
Penalties for Carrying a Gun in the Airport
Unless you have specific authority under federal law to bring a weapon to the airport, doing so is illegal. This is true in all states, even those that allow carrying concealed weapons in other locations. In this situation, federal laws supersede state laws.
Penalties for carrying a concealed weapon in an airport can vary from a fine to 20 years in federal prison. The punishment depends on how you were carrying the weapon, where you were doing it, and whether it was loaded.
Carrying a loaded firearm could result in a fine of up to $14,950 and a criminal referral. A referral means that you can be charged with a misdemeanor or a felony. If convicted, you could be facing prison time and other fines.
How to Carry a Firearm through the Airport
The best way to avoid penalties for carrying a concealed weapon to the airport is to leave it at home. However, this may not be an option for everyone. If you need to bring the firearm on your trip, you have to securely pack it in a locked, hard sided container. You also need to declare that you are carrying a weapon at the airline ticket counter.
Learn More about Bringing Concealed Weapons to the Airport
Federal law does not allow you to conceal carry in an airport in Florida. If you break this law, you could be facing serious consequences, including criminal charges. If you were arrested for carrying a concealed weapon in a Florida airport, you need to speak to an attorney.
At Leifert & Leifert, we have decades of experience with Florida and federal gun legislation. To discuss your case, please call us for a free consultation today.
