• Florida law has increased sentences for individuals that commit crimes using handguns.a gun image by timur1970 from Fotolia.com
  
  Florida handgun laws are created for statewide use with local law enforcement agencies, such as those in Pensacola, upholding them. The goal for these laws is to create a system where the purchase of all handguns in a given area is monitored, with only lawful citizens being able to purchase them.
  
  

Purchasing a Handgun

• A state permit is not required to purchase a handgun in Florida, according to the National Rifle Association's website. Any lawful citizen over the age of 18 may purchase a handgun in Florida after the state-mandated three-day waiting period for background checks from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. The background check must show that you have not been convicted of a felony, have no injunctions against domestic violence, have not been convicted of offenses involving alcohol or drugs or have not been ruled mentally incompetent by the court.
  
  

Openly Carry a Firearm

• It is illegal to openly carry a firearm in Pensacola, Florida. Exceptions to this rule apply to anyone that has a firearm at his home or place of business, members participating in a skeet shoot or other gun club, hunting, traveling in a private vehicle with the weapon securely encased, persons involved in the licensed sale/repair of firearms and any law enforcement personnel while in the commence of duty.
  
  

License to Carry a Concealed Weapon

• A license to carry a concealed weapon is obtained through the Florida Department of Agriculture. It is legal to store a concealed firearm for self-defense purposes in a private automobile or other vehicle without a permit as long as the firearm is securely held in a case away from immediate access. Individuals wishing to carry a concealed handgun in all other instances must have a permit from the Department of Agriculture. Permits are valid for seven years from the date issued, with an initial license fee of $85 as of 2010. The person seeking a license must also be fingerprinted by local law enforcement, the Pensacola Police Department in this case. You also must be able to demonstrate competency with a firearm, according to the Division of Licensing.
  
  

Crimes Committed with Firearms

• Committing a crime with a firearm in Florida greatly increases the penalty assessed against the offender. According to the website for the Florida Department of Corrections, certain felonies involving handguns and other firearms carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison if the gun was not fired, 20 years if the gun was discharged and life in prison for injuring or killing someone with a firearm. Felons found to be in possession of a firearm receive a minimum of three years in prison in Florida.