What's Up Sheepdogs? Ryan here with Tampa Carry.

Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic started, lots of Americans have been walking around with face masks, and I have been getting hundreds of emails, text messages, and comments with people asking, “Is it legal to wear a mask with a Florida concealed carry permit?”

Only Half Of The Story...

One of the statutes people keep referencing as they ask this question is Florida Statute 876.12. Here’s what it says: 

Florida Statute 876.12 Wearing mask, hood, or other device on public way. No person or persons over 16 years of age shall, while wearing any mask, hood, or device whereby any portion of the face is so hidden, concealed, or covered as to conceal the identity of the wearer, enter upon, or be or appear upon any lane, walk, alley, street, road, highway, or other public way in this state.

If you read just that statute, it would lead you to believe wearing a mask is illegal in the state of Florida.

The Full Story...

However, after this statute was created, another statute was created that clarifies it significantly.

Florida Statute 876.155 The provisions of FS. 876.12 & 876.15 apply only if the person was wearing the mask, hood, or other device:

(1) With the intent to deprive any person or class of persons of the equal protection of the laws or of equal privileges and immunities under the laws or for the 

purpose of preventing the constituted authorities of this state or any subdivision thereof from, or hindering them in, giving or securing to all persons within this state the equal protection of the laws;

(2) With the intent, by force or threat of force, to injure, intimidate, or interfere with any person because of the person’s exercise of any right secured by federal, state, or local law or to intimidate such person or any other person or any class of persons from exercising any right secured by federal, state, or local law;

(3) With the intent to intimidate, threaten, abuse, or harass any other person; or

(4) While she or he was engaged in conduct that could reasonably lead to the institution of a civil or criminal proceeding against her or him, with the intent of avoiding identification in such a proceeding.

Wearing A Face Covering Is Illegal If...

The bottom line is, if you're one of these Antifa cowards and you're wearing a face mask because you're afraid of having your face shown as you're committing a violent, evil act, then it is illegal to wear a face mask.

Conclusion

If you're just a normal person who is concerned about the COVID-19 pandemic, and you want to keep yourself and other people safe, then it is legal to wear a face mask, because your intent is not to hurt or intimidate another person. 

The main question I’ve been receiving is, “Is it legal to conceal carry a firearm while wearing a face mask?” The simple answer is yes, as long as you do not meet any other requirements of Florida Statute 876.115. 

That's all I have for today. So until next time keep training and stay safe...

Ryan G. Thomas

P.S. You’re one step away from getting your Florida concealed carry permit….FAST & EASY…

And for a limited time you can watch the concealed carry course online for free... Click here to get started...