Florida gun laws are listed under Chapter 790 of Title 46 of Florida Statutes, including ownership and use of machine guns. Florida does not differentiate between a submachine gun and a full size machine gun. A machine gun is defined as any weapon that can fire more than one shot with a single pull of the trigger. It is legal to own a submachine gun in the state of Florida provided that certain federal and state provisions are met.
Legal Submachine Gun Ownership
Owning a submachine gun requires considerable more effort than purchasing a weapon from your local gun store. A submachine gun must by purchased at a Class 3 federal firearms dealer and approved by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosive (ATF). To purchase a submachine gun, you must be age 21 or older and of sound mind, with no drug or alcohol abuse problems and no felony convictions. Before your submachine gun can be transferred to you, you must submit a completed form to the ATF with a $200 federal transfer tax.
Submachine Gun Possession
Individuals may possess (carry on their persons) submachine guns without legally owning them under certain circumstances. Members of the military, National Guard or law enforcement agencies may lawfully possess these weapons if it is done in relation to their duties.
Illegal Submachine Gun Use
It is against Florida law to fire a submachine gun across any roadway, public park or public place where people are likely to gather. Intentionally doing so is a first-degree felony with a possible penalty of life imprisonment. Military personnel or law enforcement officials responding to civil unrest are exempt from this restriction.
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