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

In this article I will the top 10 questions that I receive about were you are legally allowed to carry a firearm in the state of Florida. 

Question #1 Can I carry a firearm at a church with a school on the property? 

Question #2 Can I carry inside of a DOT vehicle? 
Currently, there are no federal or Florida laws that prohibit a person from carrying a firearm inside of a commercial vehicle. Just remember it is your responsibility to understand each state’s requirements for transporting a firearm without a concealed carry permit.

Question #3 Can I carry a firearm into an amusement park? 

According to Florida statute 790.12(a), it would be legal to carry a firearm into an amusement park like Disney, Sea World, or Bush Gardens because amusement parks are not listed as a prohibited place to conceal carry a firearm. For years I carried a firearm concealed inside of amusement parks — that is until these parks required everyone to walk through a metal detector.

Question #4 Can I carry a firearm into a bank? 
One of the common misconceptions people have is that a bank is federal property. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Banks are private or public businesses that are privately insured by the federal government.

Wouldn’t you agree that the best time to have a firearm is when you are withdrawing or depositing money? 

Question #5 If a bar also serves food, can I carry a firearm concealed?

Florida Statutes 790.06 (12)(a) 12. Any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to such purpose;

When walking into any establishment, the question you must ask yourself is, “How is this business or area of the business making the majority of their money?” If the answer to that question is, “By selling alcohol,” then you are not legally allowed to carry a firearm in that area. 

Let's go back to the main question, “If a bar also serves food, can I carry a firearm concealed?” A bar that also serves food is probably generating 90% of its revenue from alcohol sales and the other 10% from selling food. Simple logic would tell you that the primary purpose of this establishment is dispensing alcohol. 

Question #6 Can I carry a firearm at the DMV, Tax Collector, Department of Agriculture, or other Florida government building? 

In my opinion, the answer is no. Even though these areas are not clearly outlined as prohibited areas under Florida statute 790.06(12)(a), I personally believe subsection 7 is talking about these types of areas. 

Florida Statutes 790.06(12)(a) 7. Any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality or special district

Regardless of whether my assessment is right or not, it is never smart to bring a firearm into a state, county, or municipality building. 

Question #7 Do I need permission to carry a firearm at work? 
It depends on who you ask. If you approach your company’s HR rep and ask if you need permission to carry a firearm concealed at work, they will tell you yes. For me, the fact that I choose to carry a firearm concealed is nobody’s business but my own. As long as I was not prohibited from possessing a firearm by state or federal law, I would carry a firearm at work.  

Question #8 Is it legal to carry a firearm at church? 
Yes, there are no provisions in Florida law that make it unlawful to conceal carry a firearm at a church — that is, as long as the church does not have a school located on the property. 

Question #9 Is it legal to have a firearm in your vehicle in the school drive-through pickup line? 
No, you cannot have a firearm inside your vehicle while picking up or dropping off your children at school. Even though you are only on school property for a few brief moments, it would be illegal. 

Question #10 Is it legal to have a firearm at a sporting event? 
It depends on the type of sporting event. We discussed earlier in this chapter that you are prohibited under state law from carrying a firearm at a school, college, or professional athletic event. However, in my opinion, this does not prohibit me from carrying a firearm at a private sporting event held on private property.

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...