The good news is NO. Our students saved hundreds of dollars by shopping at one area store.

The Armed Citizen League was founded with the welfare of the community at heart. And what the community needed was first rate armed defense lessons that were easy to understand, not completely boring, and would not cost an arm and a leg- only $20. (Most other Pistol Safety Trainers charge upward of a hundred dollars or More!)

The next item our students asked for was, an affordable gun shop to purchase handguns, since the few shops locally hardly qualified as affordable.

After some researching, meetings, and a little persuasion, we found one location more than willing to accommodate our student members. We are pleased to report that, on average, our students save between $150 - $200 per handgun, compared to what they would have paid for the same gun - brand new - at the downtown stores. Once you've taken our class, visit 201 US 41 Bypass in South Venice. Let them know you are one of our students, and they will take care of you.

Gulfcoast Jewelry in S. Venice is the FFL dealer (gun shop) all our members use for unbeatable deals on new, and used, handguns. 941-485-0400. M-F 9 - 5:30 / Sat 9 - 3

The good news is, there is no conspiracy to manufacture less ammo, no government plot to divert ammo for civilian use to bunkers somewhere or anything sinister like that. The facts are that everyday citizens are buying up ammo, especially handgun ammo, in calibers they do not even have guns to fire it in, hording it in vast amounts, and this has been going on since the current President has been elected back in November 2008. Primers for those of us who reload our own ammo are equally hard to obtain. This information has been researched and found to be true by several major news organizations and the NRA.

We can teach you to make your own ammo if you wish. It's not hard and costs about $85 to get started.

No. Florida is still like the vast majority of states in America. To buy a gun from an FFL dealer (Federal Firearm Licensed dealer, such as a gun shop) you need 3 things. 1) You must be a resident of the state. This is a Federal requirement. If you find a gun to your liking at a gun shop here in Florida while visiting, simply have the dealer here ship the gun to an FFL dealer back in your home state and town. Check with the FFL dealer back in your home town for any requirements or restrictions before you commit to buy, obviously. Not all gun models are permitted in all states (some restrictions apply). 2) If you are currently a Florida primary resident and can buy locally, simply pay the shop for the item. 3) Fill out a form, pay a fee for an instant background check. In the case of a handgun, you will have to come back several days later to pick it up. It's called a waiting (or cooling off) period. However, if you hold a CCW (concealed carry permit license) you may take your handgun with you after passing the background check.

It is inconceivable that in a country where the citizens have the right to bear arms, and where the right to defend oneself has been upheld by the Supreme Court, that any State government would attempt to profit from the fear of it's citizens simply trying to protect themselves. However, the State presently charges $117 for the right. * $16.75/year based on one year of a 7 year permit.

There are now Division of Licensing offices all over Florida where you may take your application and have it processed electronically. The closest office to Sarasota is in Punta Gorda. Call 941-575-5770 to schedule your appointment at that location. They will take your fingerprints electronically, give you a passport photo and provide notary services at no additional charge! You just pay the straight $117 application fee. Nothing else. People are receiving their carry permits back in as little as 10 days.

The Department of Agriculture, Division of Licensing, which conducts the concealed carry program accepts hunter safety certificates and military discharge certificates as proof of firearm experience. Since there is no requirement to discharge a handgun in a hunter safety course, and ordinary military basic training does not routinely include handguns, the answer is no, for people using these documents. It is therefor quite common to have concealed carry permit holders who have never fired a handgun. The permitting program was initiated in 1987.

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For More Information Please See Our Florida CCW Reciprocity Page with map.