• Handguns are allowed under Florida's conceal carry law.a weapon image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
  
  The state of Florida allows those with valid permits to carry concealed weapons. The concealed weapons program is administered by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The weapons allowed include handguns, billy clubs, knives, tear gas guns or electronic weapons or devices, such as Tasers. As of 2010, a weapons permit is valid for seven years. The initial cost of the firearm/concealed carry permit for individuals is $142, which includes fingerprinting.
  
  

Eligibility

• You must be 21 or older and a United States resident, proof of which requires documentation such as utility bills, pay stubs or credit card statements, all of which must show your name and address. You also must have proof that you have attended and have successfully completed an approved firearms training course.
  
  You can be disqualified if you have a felony conviction (unless the convicting authority has restored your civil and firearms rights); two or more DUI convictions in the last three years; a misdemeanor conviction of a violent crime within the last three years; a drug or alcohol abuse history; a conviction for violating the controlled substances act or multiple arrests for the same; a domestic violence injunction; been committed to a mental institution or were found to be incompetent; or renounced your U.S. citizenship. You may also be disqualified if you were dishonorably discharged from the military or are a fugitive from justice. In addition, you cannot have a physical impairment that would preclude you from safely handling a weapon.
  
  

Restrictions

• If you have a permit, there are certain places that you cannot carry your weapon. You cannot carry your weapon in a police station, court house, polling place, governmental office, schools, school administration buildings, venue where alcohol is served, technical centers, airports or any location where firearms are prohibited by federal law.
  
  

Miscellaneous Provisions

• Under Florida law, you may carry the weapon on your person but it must be concealed at all times. There are also restrictions on when you can use deadly force. You can use the weapon you are lawfully allowed to possess if you are trying to protect yourself or another person from serious bodily harm or you are trying to prevent a forcible felony such as rape or kidnapping.
  
  If you are in your home or business, the "castle doctrine" allows you to use your weapon without first attempting to flee from the intruder.
  
  Verbal threats are not sufficient to warrant discharging your firearm. You must believe that you or someone else will be killed or suffer serious bodily harm if you do not immediately use deadly force.
  
  If you point your weapon at someone, even if it is unloaded or inoperable, you will be charged with aggravated battery with a firearm and sentenced to three years in prison if convicted. There is no chance of early release for this sentence.