A law went into effect this weekend that allows Florida residents to legally carry a firearm without a permit.
The so-called constitutional law was approved last March in the Senate, and went into action on July 1.
Although the regulations remove this requirement, citizens of the Sunshine State can still apply for a concealed carry permit if they wish.
The term constitutional carry refers to the right of every US citizen to carry firearms, either discreetly or openly, which was established in the Second Amendment to the US Constitution.
It is important to remember that while this rule represents a relaxation in the requirements of who can get a gun, it does not eliminate the existing rules that dictate who can own a firearm and where they can take them.
In this sense, only those who are 21 years of age, or older, may carry a concealed weapon, to buy it, they must present a valid form of identification and be a permanent resident in the North American territory.
Those who have been convicted of a felony will continue to be unable to legally carry a firearm, as will those who have received a dishonorable discharge from the US Armed Forces.
This list also includes individuals who have a physical disability that prevents them from safely handling a firearm, those who have been involuntarily committed for psychiatric treatment, and those who have been convicted of a misdemeanor domestic violence offense.
The regulations make it clear that firearms in Florida cannot be taken to police stations, jails, polling stations or sporting events (school, university or professional). Likewise, it is prohibited to take them to the administrative buildings of primary or secondary schools.
This law, called H1B 543, was approved in March in the Senate (76 votes in favor and 32 against), being signed by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis. With this, the Sunshine State became the 26th US territory to eliminate the need for a license to carry a concealed firearm.
Before this law went into effect, Florida citizens did not need permits to buy a gun, but they did need permits to carry them on the street.
