Florida’s Gun Law Shock – No Permit Needed to Carry ALL Handguns?
Florida's HB543, enacted July 1, 2023, established permitless concealed carry, making it the 26th state to do so. However, it did not legalize open carry, which remains restricted to specific activities like hunting or camping. Proposed legislation like HB31 aimed to address these limitations and repeal red flag laws but faced significant opposition from Florida sheriffs and some Republican leaders, ultimately being withdrawn. The state's current legal landscape presents a contradiction: concealed carry is permissible without a permit, but open carry is largely illegal, creating a 'halfway freedom' scenario.











