How do I find out if I am eligible to purchase a firearm?
The below information was taken by the FDLE website
The Firearm Purchase Program (FPP) conducts background checks for the transfer of firearms by federally licensed gun dealers, manufacturers and importers. FPP is prohibited from conducting background checks for other reasons to include a request from a private citizen. If you would like to obtain a current copy of your criminal record(s) you may do so through a public record request. Following are a list of reasons you may be denied a purchase of a firearm:
- Felony conviction
- Active warrant (felony or misdemeanor)
- Unlawful user or addicted to any controlled substance
- Adjudicated mentally defective or involuntarily committed by a judge
- Illegal alien status
- Dishonorable discharge from US Armed Forces
- Renounced United States citizenship
- Active protection order (injunction for protection, restraining order, etc.)
- Convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence
- Under indictment or information for a crime punishable by a term exceeding one year in prison.
- Adjudicated delinquent or received adjudication withheld as a juvenile for a felony charge and person is under the age of 24
- Adjudication withheld for any felony or a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and three years has not yet lapsed since the completion of sentencing provisions
Requirements to Purchase a Long Gun (Rifle/Shotgun) in the State of Florida.
- Persons must be18 years of age to purchase (shotgun, rifle, etc.).
All legal US residents may purchase a long gun in the State of Florida provided the sale complies with applicable laws in the State where the purchaser resides. [18 U.S.C. 922(a)(3) and (5), 922(b)(3), 27 CFR 478.29 and 478.03]. - Fingerprints are not required; the background check is conducted utilizing demographic data.
- Florida does not require a specialized permit to purchase a firearm.
- Concealed Weapon Permit holders are subject to the same background check as persons who do not possess a Concealed Weapon Permit.
- The State of Florida does not require a waiting period for the purchase of a long gun.
Individual counties, cities and municipalities have the ability to pass laws that add or lengthen the waiting period for any type of firearm. Please consult your local County Commission for more detailed information. - There is no exemption to the background check requirement for Concealed Weapon Permit holders
There is no limit to the number of firearms you may purchase per background check. However, once the sale is completed, each additional firearm purchase in the future requires a new BATF form 4473 to be completed and the background check process repeated.
Requirements to Purchase a Handgun in the State of Florida
- Persons must be 21 years of age and a resident of Florida to purchase a handgun in Florida.
- Fingerprints are not required; the background check is conducted utilizing demographic data.
- Florida does not require a specialized permit to purchase a firearm.
- There is a mandatory three day waiting period for all handgun purchases.
Individual counties, cities and municipalities have the ability to pass laws that add to or lengthen the waiting period for any type of firearm. Please consult your local County Commission for more detailed information. - Concealed Weapon Permit holders are subject to the same background check as persons who do not possess a Concealed Weapon Permit.
- There is no exemption to the background check requirement for Concealed Weapon Permit holders
There is no limit to the number of firearms you may purchase per background check. However, once the sale is completed, each additional firearm purchase in the future requires a new BATF form 4473 to be completed and the background check process repeated.
I have a FL Concealed Weapon Permit; do I still require a background check?
Yes; under federal law a concealed weapon permit issued by the State of Florida or any other state does not exempt you from a background check to purchase a firearm(s). [18 U.S.C. Chapter 44, 922 supersedes F.S. 790.065(4)(b)]