Florida Firearms Law, Use and Ownership.

• Author: Goldman, Pearl
• Position: Book review

Florida Firearms Law, Use and Ownership

By Jon Gutmacher

Florida attorney Jon Gutmacher has released a completely rewritten eighth edition of his book, Florida Firearms Law, Use & Ownership. This expanded 331page, 13-chapter edition provides in-depth coverage of Florida and federal law, with additional sections on the laws of Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The author begins with a discussion of the Second Amendment and its influence on landmark constitutional cases. Further chapters address qualifications for purchase and possession of firearms, the application process, removal of legal disabilities, concealed weapons licenses, transportation and carrying, common weapons violations, laws affecting children, and laws pertaining to firearms dealers. Where relevant, Mr. Gutmacher breaks down the state and federal laws governing particular situations, summarizes relevant cases, and points out where the law is unclear.

The author also devotes significant space to an updated explanation of Florida's self-defense laws, including the 2014 legislative changes made to Florida's Stand Your Ground law. This chapter explains the forcible felony rule, the initial aggressor rule, deadly and nondeadly force, road rage, and possible future judicial interpretations of recent statutory amendments. Readers are also educated about civil immunity, insurance matters, arrest, bail and bond issues, hiring an attorney, and mandatory sentencing. The final chapter includes common self-defense situations, including home invasions, car and boat break-ins, and assaults. The text, which is written in plain language with little legalese, is addressed to the...