Posted: 12/7/2008 6:56:59 PM EDT
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Relocating to Key West in late Feb/early Mar timeframe. Have some questions.
I've tried to read the laws and what not but I can't make heads or tails of them, just want plain english info. Sometimes I think that's what's wrong with this country these days, how can we follow the law when we can't read it and understand it. Anyway back to the point. First up anything out of the ordinary with FL law that I should know about? I don't own any NFA items and don't really have anything out of the ordinary other than a semi auto 1919. I did learn that FL has a waiting period for handguns. Does that mean you just go pick out a pistol, fill out paper work and pick up after three days? Here in NC we have to get a permit from the sheriff. I'm used to going in to the gun shop and leaving with whatever long gun I want after doing the 4473. Any reason to expect otherwise in FL? Finally, any one local to that area? I've got more questions about life in the Conch Republic if someone can help. |
| You might want to read the book "Florida firearms law, use & ownership. by Jon Gutmacher. Probably want to get your conceald carry permit, almost any gunshop can help you with that. You might want to rethink living all the way out on key weird, Naples is nice... don't get me wrong, key west is probably great, but the long drive would bug me. |
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1) No open carry in FL.
2) There's a 3 day waiting period (some counties such as Miami-Dade, 5 days I believe) for pistols purchased through dealers. If you have a FL concealed weapon's license, there's no waiting period. Private party sales are legal in the entire state, except in Miami-Dade, the buyer must have a CWL. 3) Long guns have no waiting period (unless I'm mistaken regarding Miami-Dade county, they are the strictest county in the state...). Just out of curiousity, what are you going to do in Key West? |
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3) Long guns have no waiting period (unless I'm mistaken regarding Miami-Dade county, they are the strictest county in the state...). Hillsborough County has a three day wait on long guns, waived with CCW. OP, when are you moving? No reason not to go online, order the paperwork, and have it shipped to your current address if you've got a few days. Get your CCW ASAP. Also, why Key West? So many nicer parts of the state. |
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2) There's a 3 day waiting period (some counties such as Miami-Dade, 5 days I believe) for pistols purchased through dealers. If you have a FL concealed weapon's license, there's no waiting period. Private party sales are legal in the entire state, except in Miami-Dade, the buyer must have a CWL.  Seriously?
The 5 day wait is in violation of the law also, nobody has yet to challenge it though. The county is, not the FFL. |
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5 day wait is legal in any county that wants it due to a constitutional amendment passed in about 1998 or so. Counties were exempted from the 790 preemptions when it came to regulating waiting periods. Can't really see this one being challenged in court.
Pursuant to county ordinance, in Dade, if you buy FTF on property that is generally open to the public you need to have a CCW or wait the 5 days. Never seen it enforced, though. It's my understanding that the Dade SAO doesn't want the ordinance going before the DCA and having it overturned, so it is rarely enforced, if ever. |
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Key West wasn't my choice, I'm being stationed there.
Thanks for the help, seems like it won't be too much different from NC. You just wait for the gunshop to release your pistol rather than the sheriff to release the permit. It will be nice to be able to find a house with dock in the back for the boat. Slip fees here in NC are ridiculous but it's a long drive to trailer the boat, plus NC had some stupid laws about boat trailers. ETA I will be making the move in late Feb/early Mar. |
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The family housing is nice, barracks not so nice. Last time I was there they still had a decent commissary and px. The island is only 5 mi X 7 mi so it gets boring real fast. Diving and fishing are great. Half Shell Raw Bar has the best Conch chowder and key lime pie in the world. KWPD is generally cool with GI's and concentrate on civilians. You some type of 05 or 98?
Go to the Florida Secretary of State web site and start your application now for your CCW. BTW: conch is pronounced conk. |
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Hi,
My wife and I were stationed there for 4 years. It is by far the best duty that I have had in the Navy. The water sports and fishing is awesome. The sunsets at Mallory Square are amazing and the slow island living is as good as it gets. It is very, very expensive there. The base housing is nice and depending on your rank, you may get a house with a boat slip in your back yard. If you get bored, take the beautiful 3 hour drive to Miami. The trip does not even seem like 3 hours as the views are so beautiful. Be prepared for 80 degree plus weather on Christmas day.LOL!!!! There is no where close to shoot. We used to use the base range on the weekends, but I do not know if they do that anymore. Good luck. IM me is you need anything else. Ken USNCORPSMAN (Navy Chief) |
| I went TDY there a few times about 15 years ago. There was a Naval Air station an a Joint Operations center. Looked like a nice place to be stationed and a lot of places to eat & drink (Sloppy Joe's bar?) It has a big AIDS community but they did not seem to bother anybody. Have fun and remember it beats another tour in the Sand Box. |
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Some more clarification. I'm Army. Nothing against you Navy folsk though. There's a small Army detachment there, dive school. I'm a personnel admin NCO, I'm just there to keep the books straight. As I understand it, the Army folks live off post as the Navy hold the housing slots.
Wife and I are looking forward to it a lot. She just got out in August and we're expecting in May/June timeframe. She's finishing her degree and the last couple semesters she can do online. Should be a good break for her after 9 years in, the last 5 of which saw her deploy for a total of 41 months. I expect it to be a bit of a break also. The Army unit is small, even with students, and I'm used to having 350 or more to take care of. |
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2) There's a 3 day waiting period (some counties such as Miami-Dade, 5 days I believe) for pistols purchased through dealers. If you have a FL concealed weapon's license, there's no waiting period. Private party sales are legal in the entire state, except in Miami-Dade, the buyer must have a CWL.  Seriously?
The 5 day wait is in violation of the law also, nobody has yet to challenge it though. The county is, not the FFL. MUCH wrong on both these posts ... 1. Private party sales are NOT ILLEGAL in Miami-Dade. There is a county ordinance that says the transaction can not be done on land the public has right of way WITHOUT a CWL or a background check being done. The ordinance itself may not even be legal under FL Statue 790.33 ... Either way, private sales are not ILLEGAL ... You just need to do it in an area away from the public right of way or get a BG check done for the sale. County Ord. Sec. 21-20.18 (d) 2. Saying the 5 day waiting period is a violation of fl law, assuming specifically 790.33, is also incorrect. 790.33 specifically excludes count ordinances involving waiting periods. The FL Supreme court also has rules on this –– you can read the following links if you like –– Higher courts have upheld Miami-Dade 5 day waiting period ... Lower court ruling a 5 day period was legal under 790.33 Supreme Court refusing to hear the case saying the lower courts were correct And to the OP .. Welcome to the gunshine state ... I spent some time in NAS Boca Chica –– local PD was great, base was ok and the area is fun. The only complaint I had was having to lock up my gun in the armory and getting it back everyday I was going out ... |
| 3 day wait on handguns, no wait on long guns in Monroe County. The only legal civilian range in the keys is Key Largo and it has a private membership. There is a Navy range at NAS KW that is not open to the public. Some people say that you cannot do this and can't do that due to the isolation of the area. There are many things that are available to do down here that aren't available anywhere else, so it is what you make of it. Key West is a mixed bag of people for the better and worse sometimes. The rent is on the high side, but no more so than South Beach or any other desired area. It has come down some with the economy. There are a few gun/pawn shops down here that could get you squared away, but their is another that deals with military and LE sales that could get you anything you want. There aren't many Army guys down here but the couple I've met have been good guys. Good luck with your move and if you have any detailed questions you need answered let me know. |
anything more than a .177 discharged will get you time in Monroe county. Fortunately you are never more than 4 miles from being out of Florida (by boat). no ranges within 120 miles of Key West. Better think twice about the barqain price of dockage in your own backyard. Good luck.
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The only range in Monroe County is in Key Largo at about MM 100 Oceanside. It's only 5 minutes drive for me. All of the Monroe County PD use it as well as the CoastGuard, Marine Patrol and Fisheries and Wildlife people. It's not a public range. A long way from KW though. www.keysshooters.com. There is a good local gun store here - Kiffneys - www.kiffneys.com. Not sure what there is in Key West.
Welcome to paradise. You'll be able to add Keys Disease to BRD once you get here. |
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In case you don't know lots of people catch Keys disease just after moving in here.
Didn't show up for work, probably Keys Disease, too much partying last night, sleeping it off, gone fishing, gone diving, boating. there are many variations. but they all fall under the name Keys disease. Osprey21, if you're referring to my last post you may be thinking of something else. 
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Quoted:2. Saying the 5 day waiting period is a violation of fl law, assuming specifically 790.33, is also incorrect. 790.33 specifically excludes count ordinances involving waiting periods.
The FL Supreme court also has rules on this –– you can read the following links if you like –– Higher courts have upheld Miami-Dade 5 day waiting period ... Lower court ruling a 5 day period was legal under 790.33 Supreme Court refusing to hear the case saying the lower courts were correct Did you read the lower court link you posted? Just because it was uphelp does not mean it's in compliance with FL statutes. Here is that exception to counties regarding waiting periods you were referring to: 790.33 (2) LIMITED EXCEPTION; COUNTY WAITING-PERIOD ORDINANCES.––
(a) Any county may have the option to adopt a waiting-period ordinance requiring a waiting period of up to, but not to exceed, 3 working days between the purchase and delivery of a handgun. For purposes of this subsection, "purchase" means payment of deposit, payment in full, or notification of intent to purchase. Adoption of a waiting-period ordinance, by any county, shall require a majority vote of the county commission on votes on waiting-period ordinances. This exception is limited solely to individual counties and is limited to the provisions and restrictions contained in this subsection. I've never looked into this besides reading the information you posted, Mr Bob Howell was the one that told me about this.
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Quoted:2. Saying the 5 day waiting period is a violation of fl law, assuming specifically 790.33, is also incorrect. 790.33 specifically excludes count ordinances involving waiting periods.
The FL Supreme court also has rules on this –– you can read the following links if you like –– Higher courts have upheld Miami-Dade 5 day waiting period ... Lower court ruling a 5 day period was legal under 790.33 Supreme Court refusing to hear the case saying the lower courts were correct Did you read the lower court link you posted? Just because it was uphelp does not mean it's in compliance with FL statutes. Here is that exception to counties regarding waiting periods you were referring to: 790.33 (2) LIMITED EXCEPTION; COUNTY WAITING-PERIOD ORDINANCES.––
(a) Any county may have the option to adopt a waiting-period ordinance requiring a waiting period of up to, but not to exceed, 3 working days between the purchase and delivery of a handgun. For purposes of this subsection, "purchase" means payment of deposit, payment in full, or notification of intent to purchase. Adoption of a waiting-period ordinance, by any county, shall require a majority vote of the county commission on votes on waiting-period ordinances. This exception is limited solely to individual counties and is limited to the provisions and restrictions contained in this subsection. I've never looked into this besides reading the information you posted, Mr Bob Howell was the one that told me about this. I don't think you read the entire ruling... The fact that the last link I posted showed the FL SUPREME COURT refusing to hear the case believing that the lower court was correct makes it case law ... The way I understand it, the problem is the state constitution has a clause allowing longer waiting periods. The law above is in conflict with our state constitution therefore IT IS unconstitutional. |
| Stop by a little resturant called Robbies when you get to Islamorada, it's on the right as soon as you go over the pass. They have docks where you can hand feed tarpon, bid ass tarpon. They sell bait so you can, there'll be 35 -40 of them that will take fish outa your hand(you might lose a little skin but is neat to see). This was middle of summer and tarpon migrate but don't know how much the do down there since it's so far south. It's worth a stop. Welcome to the Gunshine State. |
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Welcome to the Keys! I live in Marathon. If you want to hook up sometime and go up to Miami Trail Glades Range I make it up there about once a month to keep my eye in.
Bride works in a dive shop and is a boat jockey besides(Captain). I still have my boat jockey ticket and DM rating but work for the State now on Bahia Honda doing other things. So if your bored we can hook up and hit the reefs up here. Happy trails, Jerry |
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Welcome to the Keys! I live in Marathon. If you want to hook up sometime and go up to Miami Trail Glades Range I make it up there about once a month to keep my eye in. Bride works in a dive shop and is a boat jockey besides(Captain). I still have my boat jockey ticket and DM rating but work for the State now on Bahia Honda doing other things. So if your bored we can hook up and hit the reefs up here. Happy trails, Jerry What kind of range is Miami Trail? I prefer outdoor but I think I'll have to settle for what I can get. I looked at some houses for rent on Marathon but I think it may be a little too far. Still not 100% on what my housing arrangements will be either. Orders are not in yet but I went through the Enlisted Strength manager for the parent unit to confirm the assignment. I'll know more once I get a POC. All things considered I think Big Pine will be as far away as I'll care to live. What is the morning traffic like down there? What is the speed limit on the Overseas Highway? I'm bringing my boat so I definitely want to meet some folks who know the area offshore. I have a 22' walk around. Wife and I love fishing but she'll be out of the action for awhile. We're expecting our first little one sometime in May. |
| The highest speed limit throughout the keys is 55. Traffic generally goes slower. Any time you need to go somewhere leave yourself some time to get there. When there is a bad accident and they have to shut down the road your screwed. I'd suggest leaving a book in your car. The farther from Key West the cheaper the rent is and easier to find a place with boat access, but less things around. Figure (from Key West) 5 to 10 min to NAS KW, 30-40 min to Big Pine, 1hr to Marathon, 2hrs to Key Largo, 2 1/2 to 3 hrs to Florida City. Its not really worth speeding because all you do is catch up to the next pocket of traffic. +1 on learning the waters with someone because lots of people tear up their boats by running a ground. Hope this helps. |
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Something no one was mentioned that needs to be mentioned ... The main hgwy, well really the only hgwy once in the keys, overseas highway is well know for being quite deadly. As once told to me by a trooper, "on weekends US1 is full of intoxicated tourists, on weekdays its full of intoxicated locals".
One of the reasons US1 is so deadly is that a good portion of it is single lane traffic each way. Unfortunately there are a LOT of idiots driving overseas hgwy at all times of the day and night. WAY TOO many of them have been drinking and are now driving (Its just the keys lifestyle). The others are tourists taking their sweet old time. The problem is that there are many curves and blind spots and these idiots usually choose the most dangerous areas to attempt to pass a car causing major accidents. Like flash said, all to just move to the next traffic pocket. Even at slower speeds a head2head accident with both cars going 60MPH is like hitting a wall at 120. The other reason is the lack of a big city trauma center. By the time your flown to Jackson Memorial in Miami for adequate care your dead. I stayed in Marathon and Key Largo for many many years and have seen way to many accidents with fatalities because of this. Just be careful ... Worst I saw was a Lexus SUV head to head with a dump truck. Woke me out of bed at 3am. I was first on the scene. Even after the fire was put out no one was able to find the Lexus. It pretty much became one with the dump truck. |
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Something no one was mentioned that needs to be mentioned ... The main hgwy, well really the only hgwy once in the keys, overseas highway is well know for being quite deadly. As once told to me by a trooper, "on weekends US1 is full of intoxicated tourists, on weekdays its full of intoxicated locals". One of the reasons US1 is so deadly is that a good portion of it is single lane traffic each way. Unfortunately there are a LOT of idiots driving overseas hgwy at all times of the day and night. WAY TOO many of them have been drinking and are now driving (Its just the keys lifestyle). The others are tourists taking their sweet old time. The problem is that there are many curves and blind spots and these idiots usually choose the most dangerous areas to attempt to pass a car causing major accidents. Like flash said, all to just move to the next traffic pocket. Even at slower speeds a head2head accident with both cars going 60MPH is like hitting a wall at 120. The other reason is the lack of a big city trauma center. By the time your flown to Jackson Memorial in Miami for adequate care your dead. I stayed in Marathon and Key Largo for many many years and have seen way to many accidents with fatalities because of this. Just be careful ... Worst I saw was a Lexus SUV head to head with a dump truck. Woke me out of bed at 3am. I was first on the scene. Even after the fire was put out no one was able to find the Lexus. It pretty much became one with the dump truck. I hear you on that. I thought about getting into details but decided it was best not to scare someone about the drive. If you go on averages (my living down here the last 5 years) its not that unsafe if you are on your game, but when there is an accident it is usually pretty bad. Food for thought, Florida City to Key West today was almost 4 hrs  . And that was with no problems with weather or accidents, just morons on the road.
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I am stationed here (Navy) until next August. Like already stated, we have a pawn shop that is FFL dealer and a guy who only sells to military/law enforcement. He really doesnt stock much at all but will order whatever you want. The pawn shop prices are pretty good except for ammo and the guys are really nice.
I made the drive up to Markham Park and back yesterday. The captain for the NAS was talking about getting the range on base opened up to military but Hurricane Ike decided otherwise. PM me if you want to know anything in particular about the area. |
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Welcome to the Keys! I live in Marathon. If you want to hook up sometime and go up to Miami Trail Glades Range I make it up there about once a month to keep my eye in. Bride works in a dive shop and is a boat jockey besides(Captain). I still have my boat jockey ticket and DM rating but work for the State now on Bahia Honda doing other things. So if your bored we can hook up and hit the reefs up here. Happy trails, Jerry What kind of range is Miami Trail? I prefer outdoor but I think I'll have to settle for what I can get. The range is outdoor and pretty decent. Have to take a safety course which is about 1/2 hour and buy a membership. Total if I am correct is under $30 and the membership is three years. I looked at some houses for rent on Marathon but I think it may be a little too far. Still not 100% on what my housing arrangements will be either. Orders are not in yet but I went through the Enlisted Strength manager for the parent unit to confirm the assignment. I'll know more once I get a POC. All things considered I think Big Pine will be as far away as I'll care to live. What is the morning traffic like down there? What is the speed limit on the Overseas Highway? BPK is about 30 miles and not too bad of a drive. As others have mentioned the US1 is the highway from hell. Two lanes and a lot of assholes that cause head on wrecks it seems on a regular basis. Defensive driving is a must especially in Snow Bird season as everyone is in a rush it seems. Limits 45~55 generally. I'm bringing my boat so I definitely want to meet some folks who know the area offshore. I have a 22' walk around. Wife and I love fishing but she'll be out of the action for awhile. We're expecting our first little one sometime in May. Great on the boat and plenty of fishing action to be found. I know the Marathon area well and I'm sure others can hook you up in the KW area. Congrats on the addition. |
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Hey Jerry! I think I might take you up on that offer. It's been a while since I've drove down there... besides I still owe you some BBQ.
-Alex Hey Alex your right. No wonder I've lost so much weight without that BBQ. Come on down the Park is still here and your right I haven't seen you in quite a while. |