OK Florida LEO's--carry question

[Te Anau]

The text below is taken from the NRA's Florida laws section.The way I interpret it (#4 in particular) is that I can carry openly OR concealed without a permit as long as i'm going too or am actively involved in either fishing or camping.What will I experience in real life?

"Unless covered under the exceptions, it is unlawful to openly carry on or about the person any firearm, or to carry a concealed firearm on or about the person without a license.
Exceptions:
1. Persons having firearms at their home or place of business.

2. Enrolled members of clubs organized for target, skeet, or trapshooting, while at, or going to or from shooting practice.

3. Members of clubs organized for collecting antique or modern firearms while at or going to or from exhibitions.

4. Persons engaged in fishing, camping or hunting and while going to or from such activity.

5. Persons engaged in target shooting under safe conditions and in a safe place or while going to or from such place.

6. Persons who are firing weapons for target practice in a safe and secure indoor range.

7. Persons traveling by private conveyance if the weapon is securely encased, or in a public conveyance if the weapon is securely encased and not in the person`s manual possession.

8. Persons carrying a pistol unloaded and in a secure wrapper from place of purchase to their home or to a place of repair and back.

9. Persons engaged in the business of manufacturing, repairing or dealing in firearms.

10. Military, law enforcement personnel and private guards while so employed.
It is lawful to possess a concealed firearm for self defense or other lawful purposes within the interior of a private conveyance, without a license, if the firearm is securely encased or is otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use. A firearm other than a handgun may be carried anywhere in a private conveyance when such firearm is being carried for a lawful use. This exemption does not authorize the carrying of a firearm concealed on the person."

 

[JerryM]

I hope it is ok for me to "shirttail" on this thread.
I have a CHL for FL. I have a daughter and son-in-law there. They both have CHL.
If I go there by plane and do not want to take my gun, although I can and have, is it legal for me to use one of their guns for concealed carry while I am there?

Thanks,
Jerry

 

[Hkmp5sd]

First, don't go by what you read on the NRA board, packing.org or from us parttime lawyers on TFL. All of these are opinions of what the law states. Either go straight to the published ordnances or ask the attorney general for that state.

Yes, you are correct. I open carry when fishing and hunting and have never had a problem when encountering a LEO while doing so. I don't open carry while driving to and from such activities, but that is personal preference.

is it legal for me to use one of their guns for concealed carry while I am there?

Yep, no problem. If you do wish to use your own guns, you can also ship them to yourself by UPS/Fed Ex c/o their address in Florida and meet up with them there.

 

[JerryM]

Hkmp5sd,

Thanks, I have taken them in the past when I flew, and may this time. I may not have much time where I can wear one, and was wondering if I could use one of my kid's guns.

I am more worried about one being stolen on the airline, and might take a Makarov. I am not sure that it makes sense to get a gun and then be afraid to travel with it for fear that it will be stolen. In fact, I am sure it does not make sense.
Shipping a handgun, as you know, is expensive and I would rather risk the theft.

Thanks again,
Jerry

 

[Geoff Timm]

Reference: http://www.floridafirearmslaw.com/index.shtml

A private site of a lawyer specializing in Firearms Law. He wrote the book and keeps it updated.

"Florida Firearms Law, Use & Ownership Fifth Edition 2004" by Jon H. Gutmacher, Esq.

I read it, the phrase, "Test case time again." is terrifying.

 

[TallPine]

It is lawful to possess a concealed firearm for self defense or other lawful purposes within the interior of a private conveyance, without a license, if the firearm is securely encased or is otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use.

Now isn't that ridiculous ....?

You can carry a gun for self-defense as long as you cannot actually USE it for self-defense

 

[Raccoon]

Yeah, that's why we have the permit...it used to be worse

The good news is that Florida has a "must issue concealed carry law". It will set you back about $150 bucks to get a five year permit (what with the training you have to go somewhere and get) but the state will process your permit well within the allotted time and unless you are a criminal or a nutcase they have no discretion not to issue a permit. You do not have to establish a "need." Under the law it is your right to get a permit if you're a law abiding resident.
Obviously I believe that our right to carry needs to be further enhanced since the "bear" part of the 2nd Amendment is not a privilege to be licensed. Driving is a privilege. Keeping and carrying guns is a right.
Still, we've had our system for some time now and it has helped to drop crime rates and give gun owners credibility in the community because the passage of the the law over a decade ago did not make our streets drown in the blood of Dodge city style shootouts or more quotidian road rage.
Other states have followed Florida's lead and this has led to the "Concealed Carry Revolution". Two decades ago it would have been nearly impossible to imagine that in most states of the union you could easily obtain a permit to carry a gun as a matter of right under state statutes.
Is the system perfect? No. But it can get better if we apply ourselves and take the right steps forward at the right times.