Keep Factually independent
Whether you agree or disagree with our analysis, these conversations matter for democracy. We don't take money from political groups - even a $5 donation helps us keep it that way.
Fact check: Concealed weapons ordinance in Florida
1. Summary of the results
Florida's concealed weapons landscape has undergone significant changes. In 2023, Florida became a constitutional carry state through HB 543, allowing permanent legal residents aged 21+ to carry concealed firearms without a permit [1]. As of May 2025, there are 2.5 million valid concealed carry permits in Florida, representing approximately 15% of the adult population [2]. A recent federal ruling by Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle has further expanded gun rights by declaring federal laws prohibiting firearms in post offices unconstitutional [3].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
Several important contextual elements are worth noting:
- While constitutional carry is allowed, there are still specific restrictions:
- Open carry remains prohibited
- Non-residents still require valid permits
- Certain locations maintain firearm prohibitions [1]
- The post office ruling was based on historical precedent, as post offices didn't restrict firearms until 1972 [3]
- Florida's permit holders include:
- 819 circuit and county judges
- 13,452 retired law enforcement/correctional officers
- 213,036 out-of-state residents [2]
- Florida maintains reciprocity agreements with 37 other states [2]
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
Several competing interests influence the narrative around Florida's concealed weapons policies:
- Government interests: The state government, led by Governor Ron DeSantis, has pushed for expanded gun rights through constitutional carry [1]
- Law enforcement perspective: The significant number of retired law enforcement officers with permits suggests support from this sector [2]
- Federal vs. State authority: The recent federal court ruling challenges the relationship between federal and state gun regulations, benefiting gun rights advocates [3]
- Social media misinformation: Some posts have inflated the number of permit holders, claiming over 4 million when the actual number is 2.5 million [2]
The narrative around concealed weapons in Florida is complex and continues to evolve through legislative, judicial, and social channels.