Carrying a Concealed Weapon or Concealed Firearm
In-person concealed weapon license (CWL) services are available by appointment at the Pinellas County Tax Collector’s Office in Clearwater and St. Petersburg. Crimes for carrying a concealed weapon or firearm with a CWL come with serious criminal penalties.
In Pinellas County, FL, a person is authorized to carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm under s. 790.01, F.S., if the person:
- has a concealed weapons or concealed firearm license (CWL) issued under Section 790.06, F.S.; or
- does not have a concealed weapon license, but otherwise satisfies the criteria for receiving and maintaining such license except that such person is not required to:
- demonstrate competency with a firearm; or
- affirmatively state they desire a legal means to carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm for lawful self-defense
The way the crime is charged depends on the following factors:
- if the person unlawfully carries a concealed firearm, the crime is charged as a third degree felony punishable by up to five (5) years in prison;
- if the person unlawfully carries a concealed weapon or electric weapon or device, the crime is charged as a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 12 months in the Pinellas County jail;
- if the person knowingly and willfully carries a concealed weapon or concealed firearm into any unauthorized location, the crime is charged as a second degree misdemeanor punishable by up to sixty (60) days in the Pinellas County jail.
Attorney for Carrying a Concealed Weapon in Pinellas County, FL
If you were charged with a felony or misdemeanor for carrying a concealed firearm or weapon, contact an experienced criminal defense attorney at Sammis Law Firm. We are familiar with the way these crimes are prosecuted by the State Attorney’s Office in the Sixth Judicial Circuit for Pinellas County, FL.
Contact us for a free consultation to discuss the charge pending against you, the potential penalties for that offense, and the best defenses that can be used in your case to fight the charges.
In some cases, we ask our clients to take an on-line weapon or firearm safety course. By being proactive, it might increase the chances we can convince the prosecutor to drop the charges completely.
Contact the attorneys at Sammis Law Firm to speak with an experienced criminal defense attorney for Pinellas County, FL. Visit our office at 14010 Roosevelt Blvd, Suite 701, Clearwater, FL 33762-3820, near the CJC Courthouse on 49th Street.
Call 727-210-7004.
Concealed Weapons or Concealed Firearms License
Section 790.06, F.S., specifies the following:
- the criteria that a person must meet in order to be issued a concealed weapons license;
- the process for issuing and renewing a concealed weapons license;
- the circumstances under which a concealed weapons license is subject to revocation; and
- specified limitations on where a concealed weapons license (CWL) holder may carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm.
A concealed weapons license does not authorize a person to carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm into any of the following locations:
- the inside of the passenger terminal and sterile area of an airport, including the St. Pete-Clearwater International Airport (PIE), provided no person is prohibited from carrying any legal firearm into the terminal, which firearm is encased for shipment for purposes of checking such firearm as baggage to be lawfully transported on any aircraft;
- any courthouse, including the Criminal Justice Center (CJC) Courthouse on 49th Street in Clearwater, FL;
- any courtroom, except that a judge in Pinellas County may carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm and determine who may carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm in his or her courtroom;
- any detention facility or jail, including the Pinellas County Jail in Clearwater, FL;
- any police, sheriff, or highway patrol station;
- any place of nuisance as defined in s. 823.05, F.S.;
- any polling place;
- any meeting of a local governing body;
- any meeting of the Legislature or committee thereof;
- any school, college, or professional athletic event not related to firearms;
- any elementary or secondary school facility or administration building;
- any career center;
- any portion of an establishment licensed to dispense alcoholic beverages for consumption on the premises, which portion of the establishment is primarily devoted to such purpose;
- any college or university facility unless the licensee is a registered student, employee, or faculty member of such college or university and the weapon is a stun gun or nonlethal electric weapon or device designed solely for defensive purposes and the weapon does not fire a dart or projectile;
- any place where the carrying of firearms is prohibited by federal law.
Under Section 790.001(4)(a), F.S., the term “concealed weapon” is defined to mean any dirk, metallic knuckles, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or other deadly weapon carried on or about a person in such a manner as to conceal the weapon from the ordinary sight of another person.
Under Section 790.001(3), F.S., the term “concealed firearm” is defined to mean any firearm, as defined in Section 790.001(9), F.S., which is carried on or about a person in such a manner as to conceal the firearm from the ordinary sight of another person.
Under Section 790.001(7), F.S., the term “electric weapon or device” is defined to mean any device which, through the application or use of electrical current, is designed, redesigned, used, or intended to be used for offensive or defensive purposes, the destruction of life, or the infliction of injury.
The Open Carry Of Guns in Pinellas County
On September 17, 2025, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office published a statement on their Facebook account explaining that a Florida court has declared the state law prohibiting the open carry of guns to be unconstitutional. PCSO explained that Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier issued guidance that the decision will be the law of the State effective September 26, 2025.
The PCSO explained that although there is no longer a ban on the open carry of guns in Florida, guns may not be openly carried everywhere in Pinellas County. Instead, Florida law explains the restrictions. PCSO reminded the public that the information they on providing explains where the open carry of guns is still unlawful. Those areas include:
- Pinellas County Board of County Commission Meetings
- City Commission/Council Meetings
- Courthouses
- Police Stations and Sheriff’s Offices
- Bars (or bar areas of restaurants)
- Schools
The PCSO reminder further explained:
“…open and concealed carry of any firearm is prohibited at a school-sponsored event or on the property of any school, school bus, or school bus stop, including institutions of higher education (colleges).
Private property owners (grocery stores, retail stores, restaurants, etc.) have a right to prohibit people from the open or concealed carry of firearms on their property. Prior written notice is not required, and the businesses may verbally ask a person carrying a gun to leave. If a person refuses to leave after having been asked to do so by the business, the person commits the felony crime of armed trespass.
[The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office] respect[s] everyone’s Second Amendment rights and [PCSO] ask[s] that everyone please follow the law regarding the possession and carrying of guns in Pinellas County.
Read the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Statement on open carry laws in Florida.
The Federal “Gun-Free School Zones Act”
The Federal “Gun-Free School Zones Act” under 18 U.S.C. §922(q), prohibits a person from knowingly possessing a firearm on the grounds of, or within 1,000 feet of the grounds of, a public, parochial, or private school. The “Gun-Free School Zones Act” does not apply to the possession of a firearm under any of the following circumstances:
- when it is possessed on private property that is not part of school grounds;
- if the individual possessing the firearm is licensed to do so by the state in which the school zone is located or a political subdivision of the state, and the law of the state or political subdivision requires that, before an individual obtains such a license, the law enforcement authorities of the state or political subdivision verify that the individual is qualified under law to receive the license;
- the firearm is:
- not loaded; and
- in a locked container, or
- a locked firearms rack that is on a motor vehicle;
- by an individual for use in a program approved by a school in the school zone;
- by an individual in accordance with a contract entered into between a school in the school zone and the individual or an employer of the individual;
- by a law enforcement officer acting in his or her official capacity; or
- that is unloaded and is possessed by an individual while traversing school premises for the purpose of gaining access to public or private lands open to hunting, if the entry on school premises is authorized by school authorities.
A violation of the “Gun-Free School Zones Act” punishable by up to five years imprisonment and a $5,000 fine as explained in 18 U.S.C. §924(a)(4).
Additional Resources
Public Firearm Safety Class at Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office – The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PSCO) offers a Public Firearms Safety Class with Carry Concealed Weapons Certificate Qualification. The class is open to everyone who resides in Pinellas County but does not not currently hold a CCW license through the Florida Department of Agriculture Consumer Services (FDACS) (except employees of the PCSO). This free firearms carry concealed weapons (CCW) competency class focuses on basic firearms function and safety covering handguns, rifles and shotguns, Florida laws on ownership and use of firearms including the laws related to self defense. By completing the course, you can earn a “Certificate of Completion” necessary for obtaining your CCW license. You are required to successfully completion of a 36 round competency course with a PCSO instructor.
This article was last updated on Friday, May 15, 2026.
