The Gunshine State: Florida Ranks Only 41st in FFL Numbers
The state of Florida is pretty well known for its fairly gun-friendly laws. While the American South, in general, can be considered somewhat of a very pro-gun area, the Sunshine State (or Gunshine State as I like to call it) has always ranked pretty highly in my head in terms of states that have less restrictive gun laws and also a place that has a pretty healthy pro-firearms market. However, today I learned that Florida actually ranks pretty low both in terms of the number of gun stores per capita, as well as the total number of gun sales per capita, at least according to research done through the efforts of the Small Arms Survey.
Firearms News @ TFB:
The Gunshine State: Florida Ranks Only 41st in FFL Numbers
According to ATF databases, Florida has a current total of 2,847 FFL holders across the state. While we can assume many of them will inevitably be private holders who don’t actually own a brick-and-mortar store, even this number pales in comparison to Texas’ 6,013 FFL holders. However, when you take into account the total population of both states, this gives Texas 21 gun stores per 100,000 people and only gives Florida 13.4 gun stores per 100,000 people. For comparison, most states on this list have well over 20 gun stores per 100k people.
On the converse side of things, Kentucky currently ranks the highest in terms of the total number of firearms purchased overall with the Bluegrass State purchasing more guns in the first half of 2022 than any other state in the union (a grand total of 2,094,787 firearms in the first 6 months). Kentucky has 33 FFLs per 100,000 people in the state. Looking at the rest of the list, it becomes quite curious as to why Florida bucks the trend when it comes to the numbers.
Every other state on the list after Florida is one that would more or less be considered a poor choice for a gun-friendly state with examples like Hawaii, California, Maryland, and New York rounding out the remainder of the bottom of the list. What could be the reasons for Florida’s low numbers? Do you have any insight and/or reasoning as to why Florida features a lower number of total firearms stores per capita? Let us know what you think down in the comments.
Reloader SCSA Competitor Certified Pilot Currently able to pass himself off as the second cousin twice removed of Joe Flanigan. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ballisticaviation/
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That absurd 3 day waiting period Desantis inexplicably approved might have something to do with it. Probably cuts down on impulse buys, which are a large part of the market.
The place is full of New Yorkers. Then you get to some of these more rural states and gun shops are often just a hobby or a side business with weird hours like noon to 3. I know many around me making used bookstore money. I don't even consider some to be gun shops. Just some guy's weird idea or failed dream.
Doesn't Florida also have higher business taxes making Georgia and Alabama better for people in the know on long guns or where to put their shops? I know as soon as you cross the State line prices are noticeable higher on everything. Lot more favorable hunting land in other states too. That's a lot more gear to sell, not just long guns.