The
following is a summary of Florida Law and federal law regarding the minimum age
required to possess or own firearms in Florida.
This summary is split up between long guns (e.g., rifles, shotguns) and
handguns, and is further broken down into differences between federal law and
Florida Law.
In most cases, Florida
follows the federal law.
I. Federal Law – Long Guns
Federal
law prohibits anyone with a Federal Firearms License (FFL) from selling or
transferring a long gun to any person under the age of 18.
[1] Federal law does not provide an age
limitation with respect to the sale of a long gun by a private seller to
someone under the age of 18.
There is
also no minimum age requirement for the possession of a long gun.
II. Florida Law – Long Guns
Florida Law is
stricter than federal law regarding the possession of a long gun by someone
under the age of 18.
[2] In Florida, a person must be at least 18
years of age to possess a long gun.
[3]
III. Federal Law - Handguns
Federal law prohibits dealers from
selling or delivering handguns to anyone under the age of 21.
[4] Federal law also prohibits the possession of
a handgun by any person under the age of 18.
[5] Federal law allows the sale of a handgun by a
private individual to a person over the age of 18; thus, possession of a
handgun by a person over the age of 18 is also allowed.
[6]
IV. Florida Law - Handguns
According
to Florida Law, a person over the age of 18 may lawfully possess a handgun, and
may purchase a handgun from a private individual.
[7]
However, Florida Law prohibits dealers
from selling handguns to anyone under the age of 21.
[8]
[1] 18 USC § 922(b); 27 CFR §
478. 99(b)(1).
[2] Fla. Stat. Ann. §§
790.17(2), 790.18.
[4] 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1),
(c)(1).
[5] 18 U.S.C. § 922(x)(1).
[6] 18 U.S.C. § 922(b)(1),
(c)(1), (x)(1).
[7] Fla. Stat. Ann. §§
790.17(2), 790.18.
