Florida just approved a new gun carry law. What to know about what’s allowed — and not

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed into law a gun bill that allows carrying guns without a permit.

Here’s what to know about what the law covers.

KNOW MORE: DeSantis signs permitless carry into law despite criticism from both sides of gun debate

What does the permitless carry law do?

Changes: The new law, signed by the governor on Monday, April 3, allows a person to carry a gun without a permit or training in Florida.

Concealed only: The law allows only concealed guns, and does not allow a person to openly carry a gun in public.

Qualifications: Only people who meet existing criteria requirements for a concealed carry permit can carry a gun in public, according to the legislation. That criteria includes being a citizen, being over 21, not having a disqualifying felony charge and not having certain misdemeanor domestic violence charges or an injunction. In the 2021-22 fiscal year, more than 8,000 people who applied for concealed-carry licenses were denied as being ineligible. Data from the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services does not say why.

Other states: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, West Virginia and Wyoming have similar permitless carry laws on the books.

When does the new gun law take effect in Florida?

Date: The permitless carry law takes effect on July 1.

Will this lead to an open carry law?

Opposition: Gun advocates say it is a first step and the governor says he is in favor of open carry, also called constitutional carry. But legislative leaders and Florida sheriffs are against that change.

Other states: Alabama and Georgia are among neighboring states that allow open carry.

Can people still get a permit even with the new permitless law?

Available: People can still get concealed-carry permits in Florida if they want, and would need to go through training and an application process to get one. Many states allow people with a Florida concealed carry license to use that license in their state.

Permit cost: A permit costs $97 for a new applicant or $55 for a Florida law enforcement officer. There may be additional taxes.

Will the new law affect gun purchases?

No change: The bill does not alter who can and cannot purchase a firearm. Existing state and federal laws, including requirements for background checks for gun purchases, still apply. There is no permit or training requirement to buy a gun. Opponents have feared that people who exploit private-seller loopholes to avoid a background check could end up carrying a concealed gun in public with no vetting. But supporters of the legislation have said people who will defy the law would do so anyway.

What else does the new permitless gun law do?

School safety:

The legislation expands the school guardian program to private schools. The guardian program allows a school employee to carry concealed firearms on school grounds.

The bill requires the Office of Safe Schools to create a standard behavioral threat assessment process, including procedures for making referrals to mental health service providers. It also requires that a threat assessment team include someone who has personal familiarity with the student being assessed.

The legislation creates the Florida Safe Schools Canine Program, which allows for firearms detection dogs in participating schools.