Store Customer Charged With Carrying a Concealed Firearm

Today's Sun Sentinel reports that Boynton Beach police arrested a Wal-Mart shopper on Black Friday for carrying a concealed firearm.

Police arrested the customer as he was waiting in a checkout line.

The customer is charged with two counts of carrying a concealed firearm and three counts each of carrying a concealed weapon and possession of a controlled substance without a prescription.

Police said that the customer wore a .40-caliber Glock handgun with a 30-round magazine in a holster at his hip, as well as two concealed knives and a ``pepper grenade.''

He also had prescription pills but no label or paperwork, police said.

The customer said he has a proper weapons permit in Arizona and presumed it was reciprocal in Florida.

Florida has gun laws that heavily favor the rights of the gun owner.  If you get a concealed weapons permit in Florida, many other states will recognize your permit. Florida recognizes the concealed weapons permits of other states, including those issued in Arizona.

For more information on concealed weapons permits and reciprocity with other states, click here.

This is a case that should be dismissed before charges are ever formally filed.  If I were the criminal defense attorney for this gentleman, I would immediately contact Arizona's firearm licensing agency and obtain a copy of the accused's Arizona firearm permit.  If this accused person has a concealed weapons permit in Arizona, then Florida must recognize it.  Therefore, he cannot be charged with carrying a concealed weapon or carrying a concealed firearm.

As for the prescription drugs, provided he can show a valid prescription, that charge can be dropped as well.

I practice criminal defense in Miami and Broward.  I handle firearm and weapons cases frequently.  I believe in the 2nd Amendment and will fight to make sure that your right to carry is never infringed upon.

Call me today to discuss your case.