An Overview of a Concealed Weapons Permit Class

If you’ve never owned or carried a handgun in Florida, then you might not realize that Florida allows its residents to carry concealed weapons. However, you need to obtain a concealed weapons permit before you can legally carry a gun around in Florida. Anyone concealing a firearm without a permit can get into serious legal trouble.

A concealed weapons permit allows American citizens in Florida to exercise their Second Amendment rights. We live in dangerous times where mass shootings and threats exist everywhere. You never know when or where the next threat will take place, especially in Florida. A concealed weapon offers security and peace of mind to individuals when they go out in public or stay at home.

If you want to feel safe and protected the next time you leave your house, a concealed weapon is a viable option. But the first step is to attend an authorized concealed weapons training class and obtain your certificate of completion from it. When you apply for a concealed weapons permit with the State of Florida Department of Agriculture, they will require you to provide this certificate as proof that you completed the course.

The Florida Gun Center 

The Florida Gun Center is home to all your gun-related resources in Florida. It features a gun store, shooting range, and training classes. Somebody new to firearms can get all their gun training, experience and supplies at the Florida Gun Center.

Sign up for the concealed weapons class first. It is a short two-hour class that goes over the Florida laws and safety requirements regarding firearms. Completing the class will prove to the state that you have competency with a gun. The instruction takes place in a physical classroom environment. No online courses allowed.

The Florida concealed weapons class discusses the following topics:

• Gun safety
• What is a concealed weapon?
• How to hold a pistol (stance, grip, trigger, breathe, aim)
• How to conceal and carry a pistol
• How to transport a firearm
• Where and when you can open carry

When the discussions are completed, you must demonstrate your ability to use a firearm safely at the shooting range. The instructor monitors how well you handle the firearm and your overall competency with it.

Don’t worry if you’re not a good shot. You won’t get graded on whether you can shoot dead-center in the middle of the target. The ability to demonstrate proper safety procedures is what matters the most.

Florida requires applicants to satisfy the following requirements before they can get issued a concealed weapons permit:

• Completion of an authorized concealed weapons course.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident status.
• No criminal record
• You must be at least 21 years old or older

If you are a law-abiding U.S. citizen living in Florida, then you should have no problem satisfying these requirements. The two-hour course requirement can be completed quickly. After that, you can hold a concealed weapon permit that can last you much longer.

Costs

Your total costs for a concealed weapons permit will be just under $200. The Florida Gun Center charges approximately $85 for the concealed weapons class. Once you pass the course, you will have to pay another $97 for the concealed weapons permit application to the State of Florida Department of Agriculture.

Time Length 

The State of Florida requires you to submit electronic fingerprints as well. After receiving the fingerprints, the application, and the check or money order for the application fee, it should take between 10 and 20 business days to get a response. If everything checks out, your concealed weapons permit will be mailed to you at that time.