Updated July 26, 2002 With the addition of Section 790.015, Florida Statutes, in 1999, Florida's weapons and firearms law was amended to allow the Division of Licensing to enter into agreements with other states on the issue of carrying concealed weapons. To date the Division has established such agreements with the 20 states listed below. In accordance with the terms of these pacts, each of these states has extended the privilege of concealed carry to holders of Florida Concealed Weapon/Firearm Licenses. The State of Florida has, in turn, extended that same privilege to the licensees of these states. It is important for license holders to understand that when they are traveling in or through another state they are subject to the firearm laws of that state. We have provided links to the state laws or to then licensing authorities' Web page of each of our reciprocity states so that licensees can do the necessary planning and research when preparing to travel.   FLORIDA'S RECIPROCITY STATES Alabama    (1,5) Alaska    (1) Arkansas    (1) Georgia   (1) Idaho   (1) Indiana   (1) Kentucky    Louisiana   (1) Michigan   (1,4) Mississippi   (1) Montana    New Hampshire   (1,4) North Dakota   (1,3) Pennsylvania   (1,6) South Dakota   (1,3) Tennessee   (1) Texas   (1) Utah   (1) Vermont   (1,2) Wyoming   (1) (1) While Florida's law allows licensees to carry stun guns, knives, and billy clubs in a concealed fashion, the laws in these states allow for concealed carry of handguns or pistols ONLY, NOT WEAPONS IN GENERAL. Florida license holders are prohibited from carrying other types of weapons while in these states. (2) The State of VERMONT is unique in that it does not issue weapon/firearms licenses. Florida licensees - indeed, licensed or unlicensed citizens from any state - may carry in Vermont. This presents a problem for reciprocity with Florida. Florida law provides that an out-of-state resident must have in his or her immediate possession a valid license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm. Since Vermont residents have no such license, the right to concealed carry cannot be extended to them under Florida law. (3) Under NORTH DAKOTA and SOUTH DAKOTA law, licensees qualify to possess a concealed weapon permit once they become 18 years of age. Florida CANNOT extend the privilege of concealed carry to citizens of these states who are under the age of 21. (4) Florida issues concealed carry licenses to qualified individuals regardless of whether or not they are Florida residents. MICHIGAN and NEW HAMPSHIRE will honor the Florida license ONLY IF the license holder is a legal resident of Florida. (5) The Attorney General's Office of the State of ALABAMA has indicated that Alabama will honor BOTH resident and non-resident Florida licenses. However, the Alabama Attorney General notes that there is some uncertainty as to the limits of Alabama's reciprocity law as it pertains to non-resident licenses. Pending clarification by the Alabama Legislature or a decision by an Alabama court, he urges non-resident Florida license holders to exercise caution. Refer to the Alabama AG's Web page for the latest information. (6) Like Alabama, PENNSYLVANIA will honor BOTH resident and non-resident Florida licenses. Because of the restrictive language in Florida's reciprocity law, Florida will honor Pennsylvania licenses ONLY IF the license holder is a legal resident of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING PROVISIONS ! ! !

Citizens from ONLY those states that have acknowledged our inquiry and have agreed to honor Florida licenses will be accorded the right of carrying a concealed weapon/firearm in Florida. Links to these states' firearm statutes have been provided so that interested citizens can familiarize themselves with the specific provisions of these laws.

• In some states, licenses are issued by local governments, municipalities, or boards. FLORIDA WILL NOT HONOR THESE LICENSES UNLESS THE STATE IN WHICH THOSE LOCAL GOVERNMENTS, MUNICIPALITIES, OR BOARDS ARE LOCATED ACKNOWLEDGES RESPONSIBILITY FOR RECOGNIZING FLORIDA LICENSES. EXAMPLE: State statutes in Michigan, Indiana, and New Hampshire delegate the responsibility of concealed weapon/firearm permit issuance to local government entities. However, state law provides for the recognition of out-of-state licenses.
• Florida law will honor ONLY those out of state licenses issued to a non-resident by his or her state of residence. EXAMPLE: If a resident of New York possesses a license issued in New Hampshire, that resident cannot carry a concealed weapon/firearm in Florida, (unless, of course, he possesses or obtains a Florida license.)
• The Division of Licensing is continuing its efforts to reach those states that have not responded to our initial inquiry. We will update this Web page and continue to notify local law enforcement in Florida as future developments warrant.

  TRAVEL ADVISORY TO FLORIDA CITIZENS

  The Division of Licensing strongly urges concealed firearm/weapon license holders from Florida to exercise good judgment and caution when traveling out of state with their concealed weapons. While gun laws vary dramatically from state to state, the states listed above can generally be assumed to have gun laws that are at least basically similar to Florida's.

  However, some states' laws may be more or less restrictive than others. Specific questions about this matter should be directed to the licensing authorities or the law enforcement officials in the state of destination.

  As a rule, concealed weapon license holders should have their licenses in their physical possession on their person at all times while carrying a concealed weapon. Moreover, those restrictions specified in Section 790.06(12), Florida Statutes, regarding where a concealed weapon may not be carried should be observed at all times. Be aware that these types of restrictions may vary from state to state.

  790.06(12) – No license issued pursuant to this section shall authorize any person to carry a concealed weapon or firearm into any place of nuisance as defined in s.823.05; any police, sheriff, or highway patrol station; any detention facility, prison, or jail; any courthouse; any courtroom, except that nothing in this section would preclude a judge from carrying a concealed weapon or determining who will carry a concealed weapon in his or her courtroom; any polling place; any meeting of the governing body of a county, public school district, municipality, or special district; any meeting of the Legislature or a committee thereof; any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms; any school administration building; 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; any elementary or secondary school facility; any area vocational-technical center; any college or university facility unless the licensee is a registered student, employee, or faculty member of such college or university and the weapon is a stun gun or nonlethal electric weapon or device designed solely for defensive purposes and the weapon does not fire a dart or projectile; inside the passenger terminal and sterile area of any airport, provided that no person shall be prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal, which firearm is encased for shipment for purposes of checking such firearm as baggage to be lawfully transported on any aircraft; or any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law. Any person who willfully violates any provision of this subsection commits a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s.775.082 or s.775.083