How to Buy a Handgun in Pinellas County, Florida

Purchasing a handgun in Pinellas County, Florida is not difficult as long as you are informed with the knowledge of what the requirements are before you go to the gun store.

Know the Laws

Any laws or ordinances issued by Pinellas County regarding firearms are superseded by the state of Florida. Chapter 790 of the Florida Statutes covers the section of weapons and firearms.

Know Where You Can Buy a Gun

There are many dealers in Pinellas County, from stand-alone retailers to pawn shops. Gun shows bring local dealers together into one venue, and you may find a private seller that is willing to sell a used gun for a low price or trade. To be sure that the handgun you are buying from a private seller is not stolen you should call any local police or sheriff's department for a free check of the gun's serial number; or ask for assistance from a retailer (a retailer may charge a fee). The state does not require any registration of a firearm obtained through a private sale.

Buying the Handgun

After you have decided on which handgun you want to purchase, the retailer is going to require a picture identification showing that you are a resident of Florida and require you to fill out an ATF Form 4473 (Firearms Transaction Record) for a criminal background check. Approval from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement usually takes minutes, but the greatest delay is having to go through the mandatory three-day waiting period. Florida Concealed Firearm License holders are exempt from the three-day wait

Special Circumstances

If you purchase a handgun through a dealer at a gun show without a concealed weapon license on a weekend, the mandatory waiting period starts on the next business day, usually a Monday. Keep in mind that if it has been determined that you are unable to buy a handgun for whatever reason it is illegal to obtain one through a third party purchase (straw purchase).

References

• Firearms Transaction Record Over-The-Counter
• Concealed Weapon or Firearm License Application

Resources

• Chapter 493, Florida Statutes
• Chapter 790, Florida Statutes