Florida Vehicle Carry Lawyers

How We Can Assist with Florida Vehicle Carry Law Issues

At Katz & Phillips, we are exclusively devoted to gun rights and defending gun owners. With over 44 years of combined experience and former prosecutors leading our team, we understand how vehicle carry cases are investigated, charged, and defended in Florida courts. We help clients statewide from our Orlando office, including those who want clarity about their rights and those already facing serious criminal consequences. We provide guidance and defense in all matters relating to Florida’s firearm laws, including vehicle carry. 

We can:

• Advise on lawful ways to transport and carry firearms in vehicles.
• Defend clients charged with unlawful possession or unlawful display of a firearm in a vehicle.
• Help out-of-state gun owners understand reciprocity and vehicle carry rules before entering Florida.
• Protect clients’ Second Amendment rights in state and federal court proceedings.

Understanding Florida’s Vehicle Carry Law

Florida law provides for two distinct scenarios depending on whether you have a valid Concealed Weapon or Firearm License (CWFL) or a recognized out-of-state equivalent:

With a CWFL or Recognized Out-of-State License

• You may carry a concealed firearm on your person inside your vehicle.
• You may also have a loaded firearm anywhere in your vehicle, as long as it is concealed from ordinary view.

Without a CWFL

Under Florida Statute § 790.25(5), even without a license, you may lawfully carry a firearm in your car if it is:

• Securely encased (for example, in a glove compartment, snapped holster, closed box, or container that requires a lid or cover to be opened), or
• Not readily accessible for immediate use (meaning it would take more than just reaching and firing to access the weapon).

Practical Examples: What the Law Means in Everyday Situations

Glove box or center console (closed):

• Legal without a license, since the firearm is securely encased.

Snapped holster inside the vehicle:

• Legal without a license, as long as the snap must be undone to access the weapon.

Gun in an unzipped bag on the passenger seat:

• Likely illegal without a license because the firearm is accessible and not securely encased.

On your person (inside the vehicle):

• Legal only if you have a valid CWFL or recognized out-of-state permit.

Under the driver’s seat or loose in the vehicle:

• Illegal without a license because the weapon is readily accessible and not securely encased.

These distinctions matter; small mistakes can lead to serious legal problems.

Why Vehicle Carry Matters

Vehicle carry laws are fundamental because:

• Everyday scenarios - Many gun owners keep firearms in their vehicles for protection while traveling, commuting, or working.
• Police encounters - A routine traffic stop can escalate if an officer believes a firearm is being carried unlawfully.
• Common misunderstandings - Out-of-state visitors may assume Florida law matches their home state, only to find themselves in violation.
• Severe consequences - A mistake in storing or carrying a firearm can lead to arrest, prosecution, fines, and a permanent criminal record.

Protecting Your Rights

If you have been arrested or charged for unlawful firearm possession in your vehicle or want clarity about your legal rights under Florida’s carry laws, we urge you to discuss your concerns with one of our Florida vehicle carry attorneys. Our legal professionals are gun owners committed to protecting your Second Amendment rights. 

Reach us online or call (321) 425-8961 for a confidential consultation today.