Can felons regain the right to bear arms in Florida?
Asked by: Vernie Williamson | Last update: October 27, 2025Score: 5/5 (1 votes)
Felons can get their gun rights back or restored in Florida after eight (8) years. The 8 year waiting period begins when you have completed all imposed conditions sentences, and supervision has either expired or been completed.
Can felons get their gun rights back in Florida?
Requirements to have your firearm rights restored following a felony conviction in Florida include: Eight years have passed since you completed all sentencing. There are no outstanding detainers or financial penalties worth more than $1,000 for any convictions or Florida traffic violations.
Can my wife own a gun if I'm a felon in Florida?
No, a felon's spouse cannot own a gun in Florida. Under Florida Statute Section 790.23, a prosecutor can attempt to prove that you possessed a firearm, ammunition, or an electronic device or weapon through actual possession or constructive possession.
What kind of weapons can a felon have in Florida?
According to Florida Statute § 790.23, felons are not allowed to possess or control any firearm, ammunition, or electric weapon. This statute also establishes that a convicted felon is prohibited from carrying a concealed weapon, including chemical weapons or devices such as tear gas guns.
What rights do felons lose in Florida?
Florida law deprives convicted felons of certain Civil Rights including the right to vote, serve on a jury, hold public office, and restricts the issuance and renewal of some professional licenses such as real estate and insurance.
How I got my gun rights restored as a violent felon. FULL Process explained.
Do felonies go away after 7 years in Florida?
A felony conviction in Florida will typically remain on your record indefinitely. It does not automatically disappear or “fall off” after a certain period. However, under certain conditions, you may be eligible to have your record sealed or expunged, which can hide or remove the conviction from public view.
Can felons get their rights back?
A person convicted of a felony loses the rights to vote, to run for state office, and to sit on a jury. After a first felony conviction, these rights are restored automatically upon completion of sentence if all restitution has been paid. (Unlike unpaid restitution, unpaid fines do not affect restoration of rights.)
What states restore gun rights to felons?
- Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Carolina, North Dakota, Oregon and South Dakota automatically restore firearms rights to convicted felons - including those who committed violent crimes - but make them wait five to 15 years after they complete state supervision, the center and ATF found.
Can a convicted felon carry a pocket knife in Florida?
Weapons can be knives, billie clubs, brass knuckles, etc. If any of these are carried concealed, then the felon is guilty of this crime. Electric weapons or ammunition cannot be in the possession of the felon.
What guns can felons own?
Under federal law, those convicted of a felony are forbidden from purchasing or possessing firearms and explosives.
Can a felon live in a house with a gun in Florida?
Yes, it is possible for you to live with a felon and a firearm in the same house. However, the convicted felon cannot possess the firearm. In Florida, there are two types of possession: actual and constructive. Actual possession is when someone has exclusive control or custody over the firearm.
Is it illegal to have a bullet in the chamber in Florida?
In the USA, if you can legally carry a pistol, there are no prohibitions against carrying it with a round in the chamber. The logic in the USA is that if you have a firearm for personal defense, it should be ready for immediate use.
Can a felon ride in the vehicle with someone who has a gun in Florida?
As long as you don't have access or control of the firearm, it's fine as long as they are legal to carry. My cousin has a couple of felony convictions and rides in my vehicle once in a while.
Does the 2nd Amendment protect felons?
The Second Amendment Permits The Disarming of “Dangerous” Felons. Each year, more than 8,000 people are convicted for unlawful possession of a firearm under 18 U.S.C. § 922(g). About 90% of those cases arose from gun possession by a felon.
What felonies can be expunged in Florida?
Felonies Eligible for Expungement in Florida
Common ones include grand theft (3rd degree), possession of controlled substances, and certain types of fraud. Certain Drug Offenses: First-time drug possession offenses can often be expunged, especially if you've completed a drug court program.
What do you call a person with a felony?
Technically, a felon is anyone who's been convicted of a serious crime, but you can use felon to describe anyone you think has done something terrible. For a felon, it's being paraded in handcuffs in front of the public that can be the worst part of being convicted.
What weapons can a felon carry in Florida?
In the state of Florida, specific regulations strictly prohibit felons from possessing firearms, detailed under Florida Statutes Section 790.23. This law is comprehensive, extending beyond traditional firearms to include ammunition, electric weapons, or concealed weapons.
Can you own a knife as a felon?
Convicted felons may possess daggers, dirks or stillettos in his or her residence, but may not carry them in cars or in public. The other weapons cannot be owned.
Can a felon own a Taser in Florida?
Felons also may not possess stun guns or Tasers. Under Florida law, both types of devices are considered “electric weapons.” Other electric weapons do require a concealed carry permit by Florida law. No one under 16 years old may use a stun gun or Taser.
How long does it take to restore gun rights in Florida?
A person must meet the following requirements: You must have completed all sentences imposed and all conditions of probation for at least 8 years. You must not have any outstanding penalties or liabilities which total more than $1,000 that result from any criminal conviction or traffic infraction.
Can a felon own a gun again?
California Penal Code 29800 PC imposes a lifetime ban on gun ownership or control by convicted felons. It applies to anyone convicted of a felony in any state or country.
What is the best state for a felon to live in?
The most friendly state for felons is Vermont, where no felons are disenfranchised and no voting restrictions. In the US, there are 5.17 million people disenfranchised due to a felony conviction. There are 2 million people in prisons around the US.
Can felons get their rights back in Florida?
An ex-felon's civil rights are taken away permanently until and unless he or she successfully completes a lengthy clemency application process and is granted restoration of civil rights by the Governor and the Board of Executive Clemency.
How much does it cost to restore your gun rights?
Gun rights restoration services start as low as $750, depending on the state in which your record occurred. We understand that cost is an important factor in choosing an attorney and we strive to keep our prices fair to our clients.
What freedoms do you lose as a felon?
- What is the New Law for Felons in California?
- Loss of Voting Rights During Incarceration or On Parole.
- Lifetime Ban on Owning, Possessing, or Purchasing Firearms in California.
- Lifetime Ban on Serving on Juries After a Felony Conviction.
- Can Convicted Felons Hold Public Office in California?