Understanding your rights and obligations under firearms regulations is essential for all gun owners. JJK/LLC provides guidance to individuals attempting to understand gun laws in Fort Pierce. Our dedicated gun crime defense lawyers are here to help if you have been arrested for weapons violations in Fort Pierce. Call us today.
Gun laws in Fort Pierce fall under Florida state statutes because state law preempts most local firearms regulations. Florida is generally considered a gun-friendly state with fewer restrictions than many others, but it still imposes clear legal requirements. The law protects Second Amendment rights while also enforcing certain safety-related limitations.
The most significant legislative change occurred with the enactment of House Bill 543 in 2023. This law eliminated the permit requirement for eligible individuals to carry concealed weapons and adopted Constitutional Carry.
Under Florida Statutes § 790.01 (as amended by House Bill 543, 2023), eligible individuals are now authorized to carry a concealed weapon or firearm without a government-issued Carry Concealed Weapons license (CCW). However, eligibility requirements remain strict under § 790.06(1). To carry a concealed firearm without a permit, an individual must:
Not meeting this criteria can result in charges and the need for a criminal defense lawyer.
In 2025, Florida courts ruled that the state’s open carry ban violated the Second Amendment. As a result, open carry is now lawful for eligible individuals throughout the state. However, charges may still arise when a prohibited person possesses a firearm or when a person carries a firearm in a prohibited location. If an arrest occurs for these reasons, a criminal defense attorney could review the circumstances and explain the available legal options.
State law prohibits certain categories of people from possessing firearms. These include individuals:
If you are unsure whether your history affects your gun rights, our Fort Pierce defense attorneys could review your record and advise you on potential paths forward, including possible restoration of rights. Even older convictions or adjudications may create prohibitions that many gun owners do not recognize. Serious charges may result when a prohibited person is accused of possessing a firearm. In that situation, speaking with a defense attorney promptly could help you understand your legal position and available options.
Despite the expansion of carrying rights through permitless concealed carry and the legalization of open carry, certain locations remain off-limits for firearms, even for those legally authorized to carry. Prohibited locations include courthouses, schools, polling places, government meetings, law enforcement facilities, detention facilities, airports beyond security checkpoints, and establishments primarily devoted to serving alcohol.
If law enforcement accuses you of carrying in a prohibited location, a criminal defense lawyer could review the charge and explain your legal options.
The state’s Stand Your Ground law provides important protections in firearms-related criminal cases. When defendants assert they used a weapon lawfully to protect themselves, their criminal defense attorneys could seek immunity from prosecution through pretrial hearings. If the court determines the defendant’s actions meet Stand Your Ground standards, the court may dismiss the case entirely before trial.
Should the Judge deny a pre-trial motion to dismiss under Florida’s Stand Your Ground law, the defendant may still raise the defense at trial, and allow the jury to decide whether the gun was used legally and in self-defense.
This procedural mechanism fundamentally transforms how gun-related self-defense claims are litigated in Florida, offering defendants the opportunity to avoid prosecution altogether rather than simply raising self-defense as a trial defense.
JJK/LLC provides knowledgeable representation on gun laws in Fort Pierce for both criminal defense and compliance matters. Whether you face charges related to firearms or need guidance on staying within legal boundaries, our firm offers the counsel you need. Contact our attorneys today to discuss your firearms-related legal questions.
