Florida Gun Crime Statistics

Gun crime is a serious problem across the country that affects residents in every state. Understanding how gun crimes affect communities can provide essential information regarding how to limit and prevent tragedies and determine solutions to the underlying problems. It can be helpful to review Florida gun crime statistics.

Florida Gun Laws 101

Florida law allows for both open carry and concealed carry. The state does not require a license to openly carry, but a license is required to carry a concealed handgun. There are restrictions on who can purchase or carry a gun, as well as where guns can be carried. Schools, government buildings, and some private properties do not allow firearms. Florida is also a stand your ground state, which means a person can use force in self-defense, including lethal force.

Gun Crime Cases in Florida

“Gun crimes” is an umbrella term that actually represents a wide variety of offenses ranging from misdemeanors to felonies. Gun crime penalties can include incarceration, fines, and probation, and depend on the specific offense, when and where the incident took place, whether the weapon was used while committing another crime, and what injuries or deaths, if any, occurred as a result. Common charges related to guns in Florida include:

• Unlicensed carrying of a concealed firearm
• Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon
• Improper exhibition of a firearm
• Unlawful discharge of a firearm in public
• Illegal weapons sales or trafficking
• Allowing a minor to have access to a loaded firearm

Florida’s 10-20-Life statute can result in minimum sentences for some crimes committed with a firearm, even if it is the offender’s first conviction. The penalty can be 10 years if the person was armed with a gun, 20 years if they fired the gun, or 25 years to life if someone was killed or seriously injured. Penalties can be even more severe if the weapon is a machine gun or an assault weapon. Crimes covered under this law include:

• Murder
• Robbery
• Burglary
• Aggravated battery
• Sexual battery
• Arson
• Aggravated abuse
• Stalking
• Kidnapping
• Certain drug charges

Florida Gun Crime Statistics

Compared to other states, Florida ranks 23rd for the highest rate of gun violence, according to recent data. Recent reports find:

• On average, 3,108 people are killed annually in Florida by guns.
• Six thousand three hundred fifty-eight people are wounded each year.
• An average of 1,911 people die by suicide with a gun in Florida every year, the 28th highest rate in the country.
• Each year, 1,159 people die by homicide with a gun in Florida.
• Seventy-eight percent of all homicides in Florida involve a gun, which is slightly lower than the national average of 79%.
• Guns are the second-highest cause of death for children and teens in the state of Florida, with an average of 229 deaths of children and teens by guns each year.
• Twenty-eight percent of gun deaths of children and teens are suicide, and 69% are homicide.
• Gun violence costs Florida an average of $40.3 billion per year, about $1,878 per person.
• Florida is ranked 25th in the cost of gun violence among U.S. states.

FAQs About Florida Gun Crime Statistics

Which States Have the Highest Gun Violence?

The states that have the highest gun violence, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are Mississippi at 29.4 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people, Louisiana has 28.3, Alabama has 25.6, and New Mexico has 25.3. The District of Columbia, while technically not a state, has the highest rate at 30.6 gun-related deaths per 100,000 people. Florida, by contrast, has 13.7 gun deaths per 100,000 people.

What Is the Gun Problem in Florida?

The gun problem in Florida is actually several interconnected issues that involve increasing gun death rates, especially among minors, domestic violence victims, and homicide victims. This is made more complicated by differences in approaches to gun-related issues such as licensing, regulations, private sales, and other contentious topics. As laws change, it is essential for residents and legal professionals to stay on top of updates to legislation regarding gun laws.

What Is the Stand Your Ground Law in Florida?

The Stand Your Ground Law in Florida is a law detailed by Florida Statute §776.013 that allows Florida residents to defend themselves, even with deadly force, if they believe serious harm or death is imminent. Florida residents do not need to retreat first when defending themselves in these circumstances. The law does not apply to those who are committing a crime or have used provocation to escalate the circumstances.

Can the Stand Your Ground Law Apply to Animal Attacks?

Yes, the Stand Your Ground Law can also apply to animal attacks in Florida. In 2024, the court ruled in State vs. Cassanova Gabriel that the deadly force used against an animal, in this case a pit bull, was justified when a man was attacked while walking his dog. The appeals court sent the case back to a lower court when the man was denied immunity through the Stand Your Ground Law and charged with cruelty to animals.

Hire a Gun Crime Lawyer – Experienced Criminal Defense Attorney for Gun Crime Cases

If you are facing allegations of a gun crime, your first step is to hire a gun crime lawyer to advocate on your behalf. At Ruhl Law, P.A., our legal team has extensive knowledge of Florida gun crime laws. High-quality legal representation can be crucial in achieving the desired outcome in your case. For more than 15 years, our criminal defense lawyers have been committed to providing innovative, tailored legal solutions for clients, including gun crime cases.

If you or a loved one is facing allegations of gun crimes, contact our office right away to set up an initial consultation. You can discuss your case with an experienced gun crimes attorney and learn how the laws apply to the facts of your specific case. Whether that means having charges dismissed, negotiating a plea bargain for a reduced charge or sentence, or defending you at trial in court, you can trust that your lawyer is working tirelessly for your rights and freedom.