I do not have an injunction for protection against domestic violence against the abuser and s/he has not been convicted of a crime. Is it legal for the abuser to have a gun?
It might still be illegal for the abuser to have a gun. Florida state law says that the following persons cannot have or buy a gun:
- Anyone declared by court to be mentally incompetent;
- A drug addict;
- A habitual or chronic alcoholic;
- Vagrants and other “undesirable persons” such as those who are caught suspiciously loitering; or
- A person in a “place of nuisance” such as a drug house or house of prostitution.1
If one of these applies to the abuser, please talk to an advocate or lawyer in your area about how this law is being enforced. You can find referrals under the Places that Help tab at the top of this page.
If none of these situations apply, you can still make a plan for your safety. See our Staying Safe page for more information. You can also contact your local domestic violence organization for additional help. You may want to talk to them about whether leaving the area - either long term or for a little while - might help improve your safety. See our FL Advocates and Shelters page to find a local domestic violence organization near you.
For additional information on gun laws in Florida, you can go to the Giffords Law Center website.
Also, federal laws, which apply to all states, restrict an abuser’s right to have a gun under other circumstances. Go to Federal Gun Laws to get more information.
1 F.S.A. § 790.25(2)(b)