Eligibility Requirements

Important Notice

On June 17, 2026, the Fourth District Court of Appeal of Florida ruled in Eubanks v. Florida (4D2025-1698) that Section 790.06(2)(b) of the Florida Statutes, which bars law-abiding adults aged 18 to 20 from obtaining concealed carry permits, is facially unconstitutional. The Attorney General's Office has indicated that they will not be seeking further review of the case. Because no other appellate court has considered the constitutionality of Section 790.06(2)(b), under NYSRPA v. Bruen, 597 U.S. 1 (2022) and United States v. Rahimi, 602 U.S. 681 (2024), the Fourth District's decision is effectively the law of the state. As such, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services will issue concealed weapon licenses to applicants who are 18 years or older and meet all other eligibility requirements.

To be eligible for a Florida concealed weapon or firearm license:

You must be 21 years of age or older unless you are a servicemember, as defined in Section 250.01, Florida Statutes, or you are a veteran of the United States Armed Forces who was discharged under honorable conditions; in these instances, you may carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm if you are 18 years of age or older.
You must be able to demonstrate competency with a firearm.
Unless you are serving overseas in the United States Armed Forces, you must currently reside in the United States and be a U.S. citizen or deemed a lawful permanent resident alien by Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. If you are serving overseas in the U.S. Armed Forces, submit a copy of your deployment documentation with your application. Those who are Resident Aliens must provide a valid Permanent Resident Alien card.

Possible Reasons for Ineligibility

The physical inability to handle a firearm safely.
A felony conviction (unless civil and firearm rights have been restored by the convicting authority).
Having adjudication withheld or sentence suspended on a felony or misdemeanor crime of violence unless three years have elapsed since probation or other conditions set by the court have been fulfilled.
A conviction for a misdemeanor crime of violence in the last three years.
A conviction for violation of controlled substance laws or multiple arrests for such offenses.
A record of drug or alcohol abuse.
Two or more DUI convictions within the previous three years.
Being committed to a mental institution or adjudged incompetent or mentally defective.
Failing to provide proof of proficiency with a firearm.
Having been issued a domestic violence injunction or an injunction against repeat violence that is currently in force.
Renouncement of U.S. citizenship.
A dishonorable discharge from the armed forces.
Being a fugitive from justice.

Detailed explanations of these various disqualifying conditions are provided in the Application Instructions [ 784.1 kB ] for the concealed weapon or firearm license.