Armed with Knowledge
UNSURE when it's legal to use a firearm for self-defense.
THEN get Armed with Knowledge.
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Reduce your legal risks in a self-defense encounter.
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If you're struggling to understand the complicated and confusing laws of self-defense then, sign up for our
specialized training class, Armed with Knowledge.
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Training class taught by a Certified Law of Self-Defense Instructor
Learn:
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The five check boxes for JUSTIFIABLE USE OF FORCE
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Defense of Others
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Defense of Property with a Florida twist
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Castle Doctrine and it's legal benefits
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Stand your Ground vs SOFT Stand your Ground
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Protestors, Mobs, Riots, Arsons
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911 Encounter
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Practice Dissecting Self-Defense Encounters caught on camera
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Q & A
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Training Certificate Awarded
1.Sign up:
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self-defense encounters caught on
tape.
Training classes TBA
Location: Santa Rosa County, Florida
Knowing when you can legally use a firearm in self-defense will reduce your legal risks for criminal convictions, even save your life.
Don't risk your freedom or your life by not knowing the self-defense laws. Sign up today because we have simplified the complicated.
"You carry a gun so you're hard to kill."
"Know the law so you're hard to convict."
Attorney Andrew F. Branca
Florida Self-Defense Laws
Regulates when you can legally use force, non-deadly or deadly, in defense of self, others, and property.
CHAPTER 776
JUSTIFIABLE USE OF FORCE
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776.012 Defense of Person
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776.013 Defense of Home
Castle Doctrine
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776.031 Defense of Property
CS/HB 87: Taking of Bears
Effective July/1st/ 2024
Floridians can now stand their ground and kill threatening bears.
The Self Defense Act of 2024 allows for the taking of bears without any penalties under specific circumstances.
Specific circumstances: 1. Reasonably believed it was necessary to avoid imminent threat of death or great bodily harm to self, another, a pet, or substantial damage to property. 2. Did not lure bear... 3. Did not intentionally or recklessly place self or pet in a situation which you would likely need lethal force. 4. Notified Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission within 24 hours after using lethal force to take the bear.
Declared State of Emergency
Effective May/28th/2025
Carry During an Evacuation
790.01(1)-(5)(a) paraphrased: You are authorized to carry a concealed firearm on or about your person, with or without a license, as long as you are in lawful possession of a firearm and while in the act of evacuating during a mandatory evacuation order... The term "act of evacuating" means immediate and urgent movement of a person away from the evacuation zone within 48 hours after mandatory evacuation is ordered. The 48 hours may be extended by an order issued by the Govenor.
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HB 6025: Protects 2nd Amendment Rights during a State of Emergency
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HB 6025 repeals 870.044 (automatic restrictions on firearms and ammunition during declared state of emergency.)
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Meaning, there are now NO RESTRICTIONS on buying, selling, or displaying (in a store) any firearms or ammunition during certain declared emergencies.
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There are also NO RESTRICTIONS on possessing lawful firearms or ammunition in a public place.
Display of Deadly Force, is it Legal?
Yes
F.S. 776.012(2) A person is justified in using or threatening to us deadly force if he/she Reasonably Believes ... it was Necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm or to prevent imminent forcible felony on self or another. Does not have the duty to retreat. Not engaged in criminal activity. Is in a place where he/she has a right to be.
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If the self-defense encounter you are facing is a deadly threat.
2. To prevent the imminent
commission of a forceable felony
IF certain conditions are met.
CONDITIONS 776.031(2) A person is justified in using or threatening to use deadly force IF he or she reasonably believes that such conduct is necessary to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony. A person who uses or threatens to use deadly force in accordance with this subsection does not have the duty to retreat and has the right to stand his or her ground if the person using or threatening to use deadly force in not engaged in a criminal activity and is in a place where he or she has a right to be.
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If it is not in self-defense.
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If the self-defense encounter you are facing is NOT a deadly threat.
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If it is for the protection of mere property
No
790.10 Improper exhibition of dangerous weapons or firearms. If in the presence of one or more. Exhibit in a rude, careless, angry or threatening manner. Not in necessary self-defense.
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776.08 Forcible Felony
776.08 Forcible Felony means treason; murder; manslaughter; sexual battery; carjacking; home-invasion robbery; robbery; burglary; arson; kidnapping; aggravated assault; aggravated battery; aggravated stalking; aircraft piracy; unlawful throwing, placing, or discharging of a destructive device or bomb; and any other felony which involves the use or threat of physical force or violence against any individual.
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Exception for Exhibition of a Firearm
790.115(1) "This subsection does not apply to the exhibition of a firearm or weapon on private real property within 1,000 feet of a school by the owner of such property or by a person whose presence on such property has been authorized, licensed, or invited by the owner.
Pepper Spray
A non-lethal self-defense option
790.01(5)(b)1. Chemical spray
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Size:
790.001(4)(b) No larger than 2 oz, (57 grams)
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How to Carry:
790.053(2)(a) A person may openly carry, for
purposes of lawful self-defense.
However, 790.01(5)(b) says you have to carry it concealed.
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Prohibited Carry Locations:
K-12, courthouses, polling places,
government buildings, sterile
locations
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Use:
For lawful self-defense only.
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Misuse of Pepper Spray:
Any deploying manner not
related to self-defense.
Florida Gun Laws
Regulates who, where, and how firearms are to be managed.
Firearms at School-sponsored Events or on School Property
SB 814 amends 790.115
Effective July/1st/2025
You cannot STORE a firearm on school property.
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790.115(2)(a)3. Notable LANGUAGE DELETION ...school districts may adopt written and published policies that waive the exception...for purposes of student and campus parking privileges.
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790.115 (2)(a) prohibiting persons from "STORING" rather than "POSSESSING" firearms at school-sponsored events or on school property...
Prohibited Carry
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790.06(12)(a)9. any school or professional athletic event not related to firearms.
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790.06(12)9a)10. any elementary or secondary school facility or administration building.
A person who is authorized to carry a concealed weapon per 790.06 (with or without a license) may now carry on any college or university property
Effective July/1st/2025
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SB 814 "...a persons may carry (concealed) a firearm on the property of any college or university, including, but not limited to, any dormitory or residence hall owned or operated by a college or university, and in any other location he or she is legally authorized to do so"
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790.115(2)(a)...a persons may carry (concealed) a firearm on the property of any college or university, including, but not limited to, any dormitory or residence hall owned or operated by a college or university, and in any other location he or she is legally authorized to do so"
Exception:
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790.0115(3) You may not carry on any college or university facility designated as a "sensitive location"
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790.06 (13) You may not carry on any college or university facility designated as a "sensitive location"
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790.06(12)(a)13. Notable LANGUAGE DELETION ...any college or university...unless the licensee is a registered student, employee, faculty member...
Conceal Carry on Religious Property
790.06(13)
A licensed (CCW holder) person may conceal carry on religious property. The religious institution maintains control of property rights
Firearms in Motor Vehicles
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Firearm must be lawfully possessed, out of sight, locked inside or locked to a private motor vehicle in a parking lot you are lawful to be there.
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Must never be exhibited on company property for any reason other than lawful defensive purposes.
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790.06(12)(a)15.b
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Must carry valid identification at all times when he or she is in actual possession of a concealed firearm and must display such identification upon demand by a law enforcement officer.
A person licensed under 790.06 (with or without a license) is not prohibited from carrying or storing a firearm in a vehicle for lawful purposes.
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790.251 "Protection of the right to keep and bear arms in motor vehicles for self-defense and other lawful purposes;" ...
See EXCEPTIONS 790.251(7)(a)-(g)
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790.25(4) POSSESSION IN PRIVATE CONVEYANCE
...lawful possession of a handgun within the interior of a private conveyance IF: 1. handgun is securely encased or not readily accessible for immediate use. 2. ...may not carry the handgun or weapon on his or her person. 790.25(4)2. ...if authorized to carry a concealed weapon per 790.01(1) and 790.06(2)-(11)(b) may carry on person inside a private conveyance.
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790.25(2)(l) Public Conveyance
...must be securely encased and not in the person's manual possession.
DEFINITIONS
790.001(14) "READLY ACCESSIBLE FOR IMMEDIATE USE" means a firearm...is carried on the person or within such close proximity and in such a manner that it can be retrieved and used as easily and quickly as if carried on the person.
790.001(15) "SECURELY ENCASED" means in a glove compartment, whether or not locked; snapped in a holster; in a gun case; whether or not locked; in a zipper gun case; or in a closed box or container which requires a lid or cover to be opened for access.
Alcohol
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790.06(12) Can not carry in a bar or bar area or restaurant.
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Liquor store is legal to carry; however, the owner can post a no carry sign.
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790.151(-5) Can not carry while under the influence of alcohol or drugs if your normal faculties are impaired.
However, this does not apply if exercising lawful self-defense or defense of one's property.
790.06(12)
Can not carry into a portion of a licensed establishment that primarily dispenses alcoholic beverages for consumption.
790.151(1-5)
It is unlawful for a person under the influence of alcohol or drugs "to use a firearm" meaning, to discharge a firearm or to have a firearm readily accessible for immediate discharge which means, loaded and in a person's hand. This section does not apply to persons excessing lawful self-defense or defense of one's property.
Hot Topics
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Open Carry is now legal in Florida
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Effective September 15th, 2025 per Florida Attorney General, James Uthmeier, "law-abiding, adult citizens have a right to carry firearms openly in public", "the McDaniels decision is now the law of the State."
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Prohibited carry locations still apply. 790.790.06(12)(a)
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Private property owners still maintain their right to compel individuals carrying firearms to leave their premises. Failure to depart will be committing "armed trespass, a 3rd degree felony. 810.08(2)(c)
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790.10 It is still unlawful to exhibit a firearm in a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner in public places. It is lawful to exhibit a firearm in self-defense.
Recent history of the Open Carry win in Florida
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On September 10, 2025, the First District court of appeal ruled the ban on open carry (790.053) was a violation of the second amendment and therefore unconstitutional.
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McDaniels v. State ruling is about a Pensacola man who was arrested and convicted for open carry in July 2022. He appealed his conviction and subsequently won.
Legal Defense
You just won the physical fight.
Now you must win the legal fight.
Protect your Freedom
Protect your Wallet
Who are you trusting to protect your freedom?
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Are you hiring a law firm or an insurance-based company?
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Is your information protected with attorney-client privilege or, is it discoverable? Depends on who answers when you call the emergency hot line; Is it an attorney or a company rep?
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What are the exclusions? i.e., gun free zones, domestic related, illegal weapon, etc.
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What fees are covered and what fees are excluded?
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