Florida’s move to open carry changed more than headlines. It changed how everyday gun owners need to think about carrying in their vehicles. A quick stop at the store or a gun in the center console can now raise real legal questions: Can you keep it concealed? Does permitless carry cover you? What about ID? In our latest People Also Ask video, we walk through these issues in plain language so you can stay both armed and educated on the road.
Why this short video matters for Florida gun owners
Many Floridians heard that the state now allows open carry and assumed that relaxed the rules everywhere, including in the car. The law does not work that simply. When you carry in a vehicle, the rules change based on whether you hold a Concealed Weapon or Firearm License (CWFL) or qualify under permitless carry, and how you store or display the firearm.
In the video, one of our attorneys at The Firearm Firm breaks the issue down into clear, workable guidance you can remember next time you get behind the wheel with a gun.
Key moments that answer big questions fast
The video keeps things straightforward and practical. These highlights show how it helps you apply Florida law in real life.
1. Carrying in the car without a permit
Early in the video, we address one of the most common questions:
“If you do not qualify for permanent carry or you do not have a CW PFL, you can carry a firearm concealed in the car, but it has to be securely in case or not readily accessible.”
That line gives you a clear rule of thumb. If you do not have a CWFL and do not qualify under permitless carry, you still can keep a concealed firearm in your car, but you need to secure it. The focus is on how easily you can reach the gun and whether you store it in a proper case or container.
2. What open carry really means inside a vehicle
The video then moves to the question on many minds since Florida became an open carry state:
“Now, since Florida has become an open carry state, you can carry a handgun in the open inside your car or a lone gun open in the car, but it could not be concealed.”
This moment matters because it clears up a major point of confusion. The law now allows you to carry a handgun openly in the vehicle, but it draws a line: you cannot treat that same setup as concealed if you do not meet the legal requirements. The video helps you see the difference between open and concealed carry in a space where many people assume the rules do not apply the same way.
3. The simple requirement many drivers forget: ID
Even gun owners who follow storage rules can miss this key detail:
“Whenever you're carrying a firearm, even if you're driving a vehicle where you keep your gun in the center console or in the glove compartment. Remember that Florida law requires you to have government ID with you.”
That reminder feels small, but it carries weight. When law enforcement encounters you with a firearm in your vehicle, having your ID on you can affect how that interaction unfolds. The video brings that point forward so you do not overlook it the next time you head out with your firearm.
4. When you have a CWFL or qualify under permitless carry
The video also speaks directly to gun owners who hold a CWFL or qualify under permitless carry:
“If you have a PFL or you are eligible to carry on your floor's perilous carry, you can have a concealed firearm in the car, and the only requirement is that it cannot be visible to the ordinary sight.”
Here, the focus shifts from limitations to the freedom the law gives you when you meet the carry requirements. You gain flexibility to keep a concealed firearm in your vehicle, but the phrase “cannot be visible to the ordinary sight” matters. That standard, and how officers and courts view it, reflects the kind of nuance our attorneys at The Firearm Firm train for through in-depth work with self-defense law and evidence evaluation.
5. The hard truth about stolen guns from vehicles
The video closes with a point that reaches beyond legal rules and speaks to responsibility:
“If you're going to keep a firearm in your vehicle, you should consider getting a vehicle safe. Thousands of guns are stolen from vehicles in Florida every year. When they're left in the glove box or a center console or under a seat.”
That closing message lines up with how we approach the right to bear arms. Every member of our team holds a Concealed Weapons and Firearms License and carries daily, so we share the same concerns you do about theft, loss, and misuse. A simple decision—like leaving a gun in an unlocked glove box—can put your firearm in the hands of a criminal. The video urges you to think ahead and secure your weapon, not just to protect yourself, but also your community.
How this video reflects our values at The Firearm Firm
This People Also Ask video grew out of the same values that guide our work every day. At The Firearm Firm, we focus on Second Amendment rights, self-defense law, and firearm-related issues in Florida. Our attorneys receive training in areas such as self-defense law, crime scene investigation, gunshot analysis, and human performance under stress. We carry that focus into clear, accessible education for gun owners.
In this video, you see that approach in action. We do not talk in theory. We talk about real decisions you make: where you place the gun in the car, what you need in your wallet, and how a simple storage choice can change the risk you face. That same practical mindset drives our book, Florida Gun Law: Armed and Educated, and the gun law seminars our attorneys teach around the state.
What to think about as you watch
When you watch the video, we invite you to pay attention to how each rule connects to your own habits. Ask yourself:
- Do I carry in my vehicle in a way that matches my permit status or eligibility?
- Can someone see my firearm from ordinary view when I think I carry concealed?
- Do I always have my government ID with me when I drive with a gun?
- Have I taken steps—like a vehicle safe—to prevent theft from my car?
Those questions help you move from simply hearing the law to using it. Our goal with this video, and with all our educational efforts, is to help you stay informed so you can make sound choices before any problem arises.
Continuing to stay armed and educated
Florida’s firearm laws will continue to evolve, and confusion around topics like open carry and vehicle transport will not disappear overnight. At The Firearm Firm, we remain committed to teaching these rules in clear terms, whether through videos like this one, our seminars, or our book. We carry, we learn, and we stay engaged in state and national gun rights organizations because we share your interest in both freedom and responsibility.
Take a few minutes to watch the video above, think through how you carry in your vehicle today, and consider the steps you may want to take to stay within the law and protect your firearm. If you have questions about how Florida law applies to your situation or face charges tied to firearms, you can contact The Firearm Firm at (321) 425-8961 to speak with our team.