In the state of Florida, there are certain laws that govern who is eligible to own a gun. Additionally, there are several circumstances that make someone ineligible to own a firearm. If you have ever wondered what those circumstances are, we will look at them below.

Who is Eligible?

First let us take a look at who is eligible to own a firearm. In order to lawfully purchase a gun, whether it is a handgun, a shotgun, rifle, etc., you must meet the following criteria:

  1. You must be at least 21 years of age.
  2. You must be a Florida resident to purchase a handgun. Shotguns or rifles may be purchased by non-residents as long as the sale is in accordance with the applicable laws of the purchaser’s state of residence.
  3. Florida does not require a permit to purchase a firearm. There is also no permit that exempts someone from the background check requirement.
  4. There is a three-day waiting period between the purchase of the firearm and the delivery time to the purchaser. Some counties and cities have enacted additional ordinances that extend the wait period to as much as five days. These wait periods do not include weekends and holidays.
  5. Legal permanent residents who reside in Florida may purchase a firearm after providing a valid resident alien registration number. Non-resident aliens must provide a border crossing number as well as valid exception documentation.
  6. For each transaction, you must complete a new background check. This is true even if a store performs a secondary transaction within minutes of the previous transaction. There is no limit to the number of firearms that a store includes in a single transaction. However, the transaction is complete once the dealer finishes and signs ATF form 4473.

Who is Ineligible?

There are several categories of person who are ineligible under federal law to either purchase or possess a firearm. These categories are:

  1. If someone is a convicted felon (or its equivalent) they cannot own a firearm.
  2. The state does not allow fugitives from justice.
  3. If someone struggles with addiction issues, particularly if a court finds them guilty of a substance charge, it may preclude them from owning a gun.
  4. If you have been adjudicated mentally defective or have been involuntarily committed for treatment.
  5. The state does not allow illegal aliens to own firearms.
  6. If you have been dishonorably discharged from the United States Armed Forces.
  7. If you have ever renounced your United States citizenship.
  8. Anybody under an active protection order does not have the ability to own a gun.
  9. If you have been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
  10. If you are currently under indictment for a felony.

Additional Prohibitions

  1. Is adjudicated delinquent of a crime that would have been a felony had it been committed by an adult until they reach the age of 24 or until the record is expunged.
  2. Receives “adjudication withheld” on any felony or misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and is within three years since the completion of sentencing provisions.
  3. Was recently arrested for a potentially disqualifying crime which has not been dismissed or disposed of in court.