Florida Statute Chapter 790
Weapons And Firearms
To understand anything, one must have an agreed upon vocabulary.
Chapter 790.01 Definitions
- (1) "Antique Firearms" - made on or before 1918, or replica.
- (2) "Concealed Firearm" - means any firearm, as defined in subsection (6), carried in such a manner to conceal from ordinary sight of another person.
- (3)(a) "Concealed Weapon" - means any deadly weapon carried in such a manner to conceal from ordinary sight of another person.
- (6) "Firearm" - means any weapon (including a starter gun)......
- (1) The Department of State is authorized to issue licenses to carry concealed weapons or concealed firearms to persons qualified as provided in this section.
- (2) The Department of State shall issue a license if the applicant:
- (a) Is a resident of the U.S.
- (b) Is 21.
- (c) Is physically OK.
- (d) Is not a felon.
- (e) Is not a drug addict.
- (f) Is not a habitual alcoholic.
- (g) Desires self-defense.
- (h) Demonstrates competence with a firearm by any one of the following:
Note that a starter gun is defined as a firearm under FS 790 Weapons And Firearms.
Chapter 790.06 License to carry concealed weapon or firearm.
1. Completion of any hunter education or hunter safety course approved by the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission or similar agency of another state. Note there is zero handgun training given at hunter education class. If you wish to confirm this, you may call Florida Fish and Wildlife - Hunter Safety Course Department - Tallahassee, 850-413-0085.
3. Completion of any firearm safety or training course or class available to the general public offered by a law enforcement, junior college, college, or private or public institution or organization or firearms training school, utilizing instructors certified by the National Rifle Association, Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission, or the Department of State. Note that practically any public or private safety training is acceptable. Also take note there is no requirement the safety class be conducted within the state of Florida. Florida requires safety training, not marksmanship training.
5. Presents evidence of equivalent experience with a firearm through participation in organized shooting competition or military training. Note there is no requirement the shooting competition was with a handgun. Also, basic training in the U.S. Military does not include handgun training. Only select individuals such as Military Police, medics, snipers and such receive handgun training.
7. ...any person who conducts a course pursuant to subparagraph 3., or who, as an instructor, attests to the completion of such courses, must maintain records certifying that he or she observed the student safely handle and discharge the firearm. Note there is no requirement a student must aim at and hit any type of target. Nothing specifying a handgun must be discharged, only a firearm. Note that a firearm must be discharged, not shot. Cambridge Dictionary dis.charge - verb 1. to relieve of a charge or load - noun 1. the act of firing a weapon or gun by exploding the charge of powder Note that subsection (2)(h) states "by any one of the following" not specifically subsection 7. However, subsection 7 contains conditions potentially affecting the previous "any one of the following" options.
Observations made here are just that, interesting observations, not meant or intended to be an interpretation of, or under, the law. Most laws are continually argued by lawyers every day, and in every courtroom in America. The Second Amendment has been argued for over 200 years, and continues to be argued and debated every day.
