A person who uses or threatens to use deadly force in accordance with this subsection does not have a duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground provided that the person is not engaged in a criminal activity and is in a place where he or she has a right to be. A person who uses or threatens to use force in accordance with this subsection does not have a duty to retreat before using or threatening to use such force.Ī person is justified in using deadly force if he or she reasonably believes that such force is necessary to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony or to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another. Instead, you may stand your ground and meet force with force, including deadly force, if you reasonably believe it is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm to yourself or others.Ī person is justified in using or threatening to use force, except deadly force, when and to the extent that the person reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to defend himself or herself or another against the other’s imminent use of unlawful force.

Under Florida law, there is no duty to retreat if you are attacked in any place you have a lawful right to be.

Self-Defenseįlorida is a Castle Doctrine state. In terms of reciprocity, Florida will only honor resident CCW licenses from states with which Florida has a reciprocity agreement. CWLs are issued to residents and non-residents. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and have completed a firearms training course, or be a current member of the military or an honorably discharged veteran. The Florida CWL allows holders of the license to carry not only a handgun but also other weapons such as electronic weapons, tear gas guns, billie clubs and knives. Open carry is not legal in Florida, except for a few limited exceptions such as when engaged in fishing, camping, lawful hunting or target practice at an indoor range.Ĭoncealed carry is legal for residents with a Florida CWL and for non-residents with a CCW permit from a state that Florida honors. Buyers must be at least 21 years old to purchase any firearm and although several counties have enacted ordinances establishing waiting periods for some purchases from non-licensed sellers (often at gun shows), Florida Concealed Weapons License (CWL) holders are exempt. There is no license, background check or firearms registration required when buying a handgun from a private individual. Florida is a shall-issue state with concealed weapons licenses issued at the state level by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS).

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