Florida Complete
Carry Course
Florida law changed twice in three years. Permitless carry arrived in 2023, open carry in 2025, and most people carrying today are working from rules that are out of date. This is the class that fixes that — and gets you range-ready at the same time.
In Florida you can carry a concealed firearm without a permit if you are 21 or older and legally allowed to possess a firearm, and since September 2025 you can carry openly as well.
The Florida concealed weapon licence (CWL) is still worth having — it carries reciprocity in roughly 38 other states, the widest of any state permit. Permitless carry only covers you inside Florida.
Who this course is for
New gun owners, people who want their Florida CWL for travel, couples and families, ladies-only groups, and anyone who has been carrying for years on rules that have since changed. No licence is required to attend.
What changed, and what it means for you
Three things have moved recently, and the confusion between them is why so many carriers are guessing:
- Permitless carry (July 2023). Florida became a constitutional carry state. Adults 21+ who can lawfully possess a firearm may carry concealed without a licence.
- Open carry (September 2025). A Florida appeals court ruled the state's open carry ban could not stand, and open carry is now lawful statewide for those who may lawfully possess a firearm. It is not absolute — location restrictions still apply.
- The CWL still matters. Reciprocity with roughly 38 states, smoother firearm purchases, and a clearer legal posture. If you ever drive out of Florida armed, this is the difference between lawful and not.
For the detail, see our guides on open carry in Florida and whether you still need a CWL.
What the course covers
- Where you still cannot carry. The location restrictions did not go away with the open carry ruling — businesses licensed to serve alcohol for on-site consumption, schools, courthouses, polling places, and more. This is where people get themselves arrested while believing they are compliant.
- Use-of-force law. When force is lawful, when deadly force is lawful, and the articulation framework that follows. Frank is a graduate of the Law of Self Defense programme under attorney Andrew Branca.
- Safe handling and storage. The rules, and the reasoning behind them.
- Live fire. Fundamentals, marksmanship, and safe handling on the range with a coach beside you.
- The CWL application. What the state needs and how to submit it.
Where you go next
The carry course is the foundation. From there, Alpha One runs a five-level pistol ladder — draw mechanics, defensive application, performance under stress, and scenario-based certification. See defensive pistol training.
Prefer to start one-on-one? Private coaching is available, and it is often the right call for a nervous first-timer or a couple with very different experience levels.
Frequently asked questions
Do I still need a concealed weapon licence in Florida?
Not to carry concealed inside Florida — permitless carry has been law since July 2023 for adults 21 and over who can lawfully possess a firearm. But the licence still gives you reciprocity in roughly 38 other states, which permitless carry does not. If you ever travel armed, it is worth having.
Is open carry legal in Florida now?
Yes. In September 2025 a Florida appeals court ruled the state's open carry ban could not stand, and open carry is now lawful statewide for people who may lawfully possess a firearm. Location restrictions still apply — the ruling explicitly noted that open carry is not absolute or immune from reasonable regulation.
Where can I still not carry a firearm in Florida?
Restricted locations include any portion of a business licensed to serve alcohol for on-site consumption, elementary, middle and high schools and their administration buildings, courthouses and courtrooms, polling places, and government board meetings. There are others, and this is a core block of the course.
How old do I have to be?
Permitless carry applies to adults 21 and over. The concealed weapon licence age rules have been the subject of recent litigation in Florida — a June 2026 appeals court decision addressed the 18-to-20 restriction. Because this area is actively changing, call us for the current position rather than relying on an article.
Do I need my own firearm?
Bring one if you have one. If you are shopping and want to try before you buy, tell us when you book and we will talk through options.
Is the class available in Spanish?
Yes. Frank teaches in English and Spanish. Ver esta página en español.