(1)(a) All persons holding active certifications from the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission as law enforcement officers or correctional officers as defined in s. 943.10(1), (2), (6), (7), (8), or (9) shall have the right to carry, on or about their persons, concealed firearms, during off-duty hours, at the discretion of their superior officers, and may perform those law enforcement functions that they normally perform during duty hours, utilizing their weapons in a manner which is reasonably expected of on-duty officers in similar situations.
(b) All persons holding an active certification from the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission as a law enforcement officer or a correctional officer as defined in s. 943.10(1), (2), (6), (7), (8), or (9) meet the definition of “qualified law enforcement officer” in 18 U.S.C. s. 926B(c).
(c) All persons who held an active certification from the Criminal Justice Standards and Training Commission as a law enforcement officer or correctional officer as defined in s. 943.10(1), (2), (6), (7), (8), or (9), while working for an employing agency, as defined in s. 943.10(4), but have separated from service under the conditions set forth in 18 U.S.C. s. 926C(c), meet the definition of “qualified retired law enforcement officer.”
(d) This section does not limit the right of a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer to carry a concealed firearm off duty as a private citizen under the exemption provided in s. 790.06 that allows a law enforcement officer, correctional officer, or correctional probation officer as defined in s. 943.10(1), (2), (3), (6), (7), (8), or (9) to carry a concealed firearm without a concealed weapon or firearm license. The appointing or employing agency or department of an officer carrying a concealed firearm as a private citizen under s. 790.06 shall not be liable for the use of the firearm in such capacity. Nothing herein limits the authority of the appointing or employing agency or department from establishing policies limiting law enforcement officers or correctional officers from carrying concealed firearms during off-duty hours in their capacity as appointees or employees of the agency or department.
(2) The superior officer of any police department or sheriff’s office or the Florida Highway Patrol, if he or she elects to direct the officers under his or her supervision to carry concealed firearms while off duty, shall file a statement with the governing body of such department of his or her instructions and requirements relating to the carrying of said firearms.
History.—ss. 1, 2, 3, ch. 72-84; s. 235, ch. 77-104; s. 23, ch. 79-8; s. 3, ch. 88-183; s. 4, ch. 95-318; s. 1204, ch. 97-102; s. 32, ch. 2019-167.
Structure Florida Statutes
Chapter 790 - Weapons and Firearms
790.01 - Unlicensed Carrying of Concealed Weapons or Concealed Firearms.
790.02 - Officer to Arrest Without Warrant and Upon Probable Cause.
790.051 - Exemption From Licensing Requirements; Law Enforcement Officers.
790.052 - Carrying Concealed Firearms; Off-Duty Law Enforcement Officers.
790.053 - Open Carrying of Weapons.
790.06 - License to Carry Concealed Weapon or Firearm.
790.0601 - Public Records Exemption for Concealed Weapons.
790.061 - Judges and Justices; Exceptions From Licensure Provisions.
790.062 - Members and Veterans of United States Armed Forces; Exceptions From Licensure Provisions.
790.064 - Firearm Possession and Firearm Ownership Disability.
790.065 - Sale and Delivery of Firearms.
790.0655 - Purchase and Delivery of Firearms; Mandatory Waiting Period; Exceptions; Penalties.
790.07 - Persons Engaged in Criminal Offense, Having Weapons.
790.08 - Taking Possession of Weapons and Arms; Reports; Disposition; Custody.
790.09 - Manufacturing or Selling Metallic Knuckles.
790.10 - Improper Exhibition of Dangerous Weapons or Firearms.
790.145 - Crimes in Pharmacies; Possession of Weapons; Penalties.
790.15 - Discharging Firearm in Public or on Residential Property.
790.153 - Tests for Impairment or Intoxication; Right to Refuse.
790.157 - Presumption of Impairment; Testing Methods.
790.16 - Discharging Machine Guns; Penalty.
790.1612 - Authorization for Governmental Manufacture, Possession, and Use of Destructive Devices.
790.162 - Threat to Throw, Project, Place, or Discharge Any Destructive Device, Felony; Penalty.
790.165 - Planting of “Hoax Bomb” Prohibited; Penalties.
790.169 - Juvenile Offenders; Release of Names and Addresses.
790.173 - Legislative Findings and Intent.
790.174 - Safe Storage of Firearms Required.
790.175 - Transfer or Sale of Firearms; Required Warnings; Penalties.
790.18 - Sale or Transfer of Arms to Minors by Dealers.
790.221 - Possession of Short-Barreled Rifle, Short-Barreled Shotgun, or Machine Gun; Penalty.
790.222 - Bump-Fire Stocks Prohibited.
790.235 - Possession of Firearm or Ammunition by Violent Career Criminal Unlawful; Penalty.
790.24 - Report of Medical Treatment of Certain Wounds; Penalty for Failure to Report.
790.25 - Lawful Ownership, Possession, and Use of Firearms and Other Weapons.
790.256 - Public Service Announcements.
790.29 - Paramilitary Training; Teaching or Participation Prohibited.
790.33 - Field of Regulation of Firearms and Ammunition Preempted.
790.335 - Prohibition of Registration of Firearms; Electronic Records.
790.336 - Lists, Records, or Registries to Be Destroyed.
790.338 - Medical Privacy Concerning Firearms; Prohibitions; Penalties; Exceptions.