Travel to Florida. Any suggestions on guns in the vehicle?

And here is the Florida statute for reference. Florida is a gun friendly state with great weather to boot:

790.25 Lawful Ownership, Possession, and Use of Firearms and Other Weapons
(5) Possession in Private Conveyance.--Notwithstanding subsection (2), it is lawful and is not a violation of s. 790.01 for a person 18 years of age or older to possess a concealed firearm or other weapon for self-defense or other lawful purpose within the interior of a private conveyance, without a license, if the firearm or other weapon is securely encased or is otherwise not readily accessible for immediate use. Nothing herein contained prohibits the carrying of a legal firearm other than a handgun anywhere in a private conveyance when such firearm is being carried for a lawful use. Nothing herein contained shall be construed to authorize the carrying of a concealed firearm or other weapon on the person. This subsection shall be liberally construed in favor of the lawful use, ownership, and possession of firearms and other weapons, including lawful self-defense as provided in s. 776.012.
790.001 Definitions.-- As Used in This Chapter, Except Where the Context Otherwise Requires:
(17) "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 zippered gun case; or in a closed box or container which requires a lid or cover to be opened for access.

I believe the Federal mcclure-volkmer act of 1986 allows for interstate transport of personal firearms.

On my bi annual trekking between homes, R.I. to Florida guns I’m transporting are locked in cases and kept in the rear of the van. Any ammunition is separately cased. I keep my personal carry piece on my person in states that have CCW. agreements. with Florida, other wise it’s cased and locked also.
I overnight only in states that have that agreement and avoid any stops in those that don’t.

This law applies to all persons in Florida, resident or not. You do not have to be a concealed carry permit holder to have a firearm in your vehicle according to the above statute.

SterlingBullet said:

or in a closed box or container which requires a lid or cover to be opened for access.

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And this could mean even a Tupperware container

One old trick I use to carry guns and ammo is to drill a hole in the lid and side of an old metal ammo box so a padlock hasp will fit thru. Firearms locked in one box, ammo in the other. In the trunk, or at the back of the locked area of the vehicle.

Although the topic at hand is about what's legal here in my state.... My best advice is to keep any firearms secured properly in the trunk of your vehicle.. Your weapons won't do you a bit of good if they get stolen.... and the passenger area of any car is an all too easy target...
Can't remember how many vehicle burglary reports I took as a young officer some years ago down here in paradise.... Doubt things have changed one bit.... Visitors to our state are easily identified by their out of state license plates and a particularly inviting target...

lemaymiami said:

...Doubt things have changed one bit...

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They haven't. People still leave guns in cars like kids leaving cookies for Santa.

lemaymiami said:

Although the topic at hand is about what's legal here in my state.... My best advice is to keep any firearms secured properly in the trunk of your vehicle.. Your weapons won't do you a bit of good if they get stolen.... and the passenger area of any car is an all too easy target...
Can't remember how many vehicle burglary reports I

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John_R said:

They haven't. People still leave guns in cars like kids leaving cookies for Santa.

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I leave guns in my car. But not in plain sight. A great deal of vehicles these days have no trunk, Vans, Mini Vans, SUV’s, Crossovers pickups. But they all have consoles glove boxes or space under the seat. And a great many places have no guns allowed so sometimes it’s just plain necessary. Don’t advertise and hidden from view so why would ones vehicle be anymore of a target than any other in the lot or on the street.

Here is a better map (IMO)

https://www.usacarry.com/concealed_carry_permit_reciprocity_maps.html

CZ-75BD said:

Guess I'm out of luck. IL is not in the list...
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You are out of luck as to concealed carry outside of your vehicle, but you need to check the States you travel through for having a firearm in the car. Here in Florida you can have it in your vehicle but not carry it while doing whatever, Your IL permit is not honored here, we just want your tourist money and COVID
There is also no duty to inform unless asked.

whughett said:

I believe the Federal mcclure-volkmer act of 1986 allows for interstate transport of personal firearms.

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Also Known As FOPA, Firearms Owner's Protection Act.
To meet its standard, weapons need to be unloaded and stored, securely, out of reach of driver & passengers.

FOPA does not allow for concealed carry across State lines, only the transport of arms.

CapnMac said:

Also Known As FOPA, Firearms Owner's Protection Act.
To meet its standard, weapons need to be unloaded and stored, securely, out of reach of driver & passengers.

FOPA does not allow for concealed carry across State lines, only the transport of arms.

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I’m not following. Are you saying one is in violation of a federal law by traveling across state lines carrying a concealed weapon between reciprocal states.

whughett said:

I’m not following. Are you saying one is in violation of a federal law by traveling across state lines carrying a concealed weapon between reciprocal states.

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FOPA covers transport as defined by federal law, which generally means unloaded and locked in the trunk or if no trunk locked in a case inaccessible to the passenger compartment. Its meant to allow you to travel in this manner transiting states that are not your start or ending states for your trip.

Carry is not the same, and is subject to each state's laws regarding carry in their state. FOPA will not protect you if you carry in a state along the way where its not allowed by state law.

whughett said:

Are you saying one is in violation of a federal law by traveling across state lines carrying a concealed weapon between reciprocal states.

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unclenunzie said:

Carry is not the same, and is subject to each state's laws regarding carry in their state. FOPA will not protect you if you carry in a state along the way where its not allowed by state law

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The above is the issue.
As it stands Carry is a State issue (and rightfully so, down in the brass tacks of it).
Transport is covered Federally by way of FOPA.
This is widely misunderstood.

In 1986 there were very few Shall Issue States. So, the idea of being able to legally carry was not even on the mind of the legislators in drafting the law. The only intent was to try and limit restrictive and confiscatory States acting against the interests and property of firearms owners.

I’ll continue to keep my carry piece on my person while traveling thru or stopping in reciprocal states while traveling between homes in states that recognize the Florida permit. Those that don’t it’s locked with others in cases according to the 1986 law. Been doing 16 years. Course in those 16 years I’ve never been pulled over but once. Speed trap in Northern Florida. Trooper didn’t even ask.

CZ-75BD said:

Hello,
I'm planning to travel by car in Florida from Illinois.
I have IL conceal care licence. I was researching a lot of site to understand my option to travel with the guns. Very confusing and controversial notes. Some site claims it is allowed to do so, some has not allowed. I was looking on reciprocity maps and result is different as well. YouTube videos same controversy.
Who can point to reliable information. Would be very appreciative.

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I went through the same thing. Had an IL permit and knew I needed a FL permit so I took the required class, sent paperwork and got denied, they wouldn't accept my livescan fingerprints so they sent it all back with a request for ink fingerprints . time was getting short so I next day mailed the packet back , they hadn't sent back anything and my permit didn't arrive until a week after I got home from my trip. That was 4 years ago. At that time my permit was only valid to up to the Georgia line and so I unloaded and put my guns in the trunk.
We need national reciprocity.

CZ-75BD said:

So many controversial opinions...
Let me summarize it. I will be OK if my guns enclosed in one separate container and ammo in another?

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You are dealing with Federal Laws and State laws.
Federal in the transport across State Lines and State laws for concealed carry (as on your person) You need to recognized the difference.
Your CCW permit doesn't apply to transport in you vehicle,and is not valid in any of the States you will travel through as I mention you need to look up those State laws.

I can not commit on the Federal transport as discussed above but once in Florida you can have a gun in your CAR as I posted above.

So look at KY, TN, GA

Doesn’t make any sense. My CCW is good in 37 states but I can’t transport it across those state lines unless it’s in a locked case and inaccessible from the drivers seat. Catch 22. .

whughett said:

Doesn’t make any sense. My CCW is good in 37 states but I can’t transport it across those state lines unless it’s in a locked case and inaccessible from the drivers seat. Catch 22. .

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Ah, there's a logjam there.
If your CCW is legal in IN, TN, LA, MS, AL, GA, then, preemptively, you can "carry" in those places--verifying State reciprocity is on you, sadly. If one of those States does not recognize your specific CCW, then you have to comply with FOPA while traversing that specific State.
When you get to FL, you will want to heed the valuable information provided above on FL carry.