Maybe something happened. A break-in on your street. A scary night walking to your car. A move to a new neighborhood. Or maybe nothing happened at all, and you simply want to feel more in control of your own safety. Whatever brought you here, you are in good company. Most of the people we teach have never held a gun before they walk in. They arrive a little nervous, a little unsure, and a little worried they will look foolish. By the end of the day they are standing taller. H

A serious article with a sense of humor. We promise to be funny about the handbag and serious about the gun. Let me tell you about a bad-ass. We'll call her Kacie (not her real name, because she likes her privacy almost as much as she likes her handbag). Kacie walked into our facility looking like she had some style. Great outfit. Great bag. We all figured it was an "I'm just here to pass some time" situation. Somebody may have even placed a bet. Whoever bet on that lost mone

A free guide from the instructors at Top Shot Firearms Academy & Gun Club in Miami. The five questions to answer before you buy, why renting first saves money, and the costs nobody mentions at the counter. Education only, not legal advice. Laws change, so check the dates and sources listed. Last reviewed October 3, 2026. Before you buy anything The most expensive way to pick a first gun is to buy the one a friend or a salesperson recommends. The best first gun is the one you

New to firearms? Start here. These guides answer the questions our students ask before their first class, in plain English. Everything is free. When you're ready for hands-on training, we teach small groups, private lessons, couples classes and the Florida concealed weapons permit class. Start here: How to Pick Your First Firearm in Miami (Free Guide) Start here What to Bring to Your Gun Class — a simple checklist so you show up ready First Time at the Range: What to Expect

You've heard the advice at a barbecue or on a forum. "Just fire a warning shot." "Shoot the tires so they can't leave." "Don't kill him, shoot him in the leg." It sounds safer and more humane. Under Florida law, each of these can turn the person who was defending themselves into the person facing felony charges. This is not legal advice, and no article replaces an attorney. But the statutes are public, and what they say surprises most gun owners. What Florida actually allows

Most gun-owning parents have thought about where to put the firearm. Fewer have thought about how well a child can read their routine. Kids watch where you put things. They climb, they look under beds, and they open nightstands when nobody is around. A hiding place that works against a guest often doesn't work against a curious child who lives there. Here are the assumptions we hear in class, and why they don't hold up: "It's on the top shelf of my closet." A child who can fi

To buy a firearm in Florida you must be 21 or older, pass a records check at a licensed dealer, and wait out the three-day waiting period unless an exemption applies. The smartest first step is not the purchase. It is a class. Step 1: Take a class before you shop A class tells you what suits your hands, your home, and your goals. People who rent and try several firearms before buying tend to avoid the expensive mistake of buying one that doesn't fit. Our beginner class is bui

Florida law requires you to secure a loaded firearm if you know, or reasonably should know, that a child is likely to get to it. The legal minimum is low. The safe standard is higher: lock every firearm, every time you aren't carrying it. What the law says Section 790.174 applies to a person who stores or leaves a loaded firearm on premises under their control when they know or should know that a minor is likely to gain access without a parent's permission or the required sup

Florida law lists specific places where carrying a firearm is prohibited. Know them before you carry, because the license does not authorize carrying in these places (section 790.06(12)). The list below comes from section 790.06(12)(a) of the Florida Statutes. Other laws, including federal law, add more. These restrictions apply whether you carry concealed or openly. When in doubt, don't carry into the building, and ask your instructor or an attorney. The places the statute l

A Florida concealed weapons license is valid for 7 years. Renew before it expires. If you miss the date, you can still renew for up to 180 days with a late fee, but after that the license is permanently expired and you must apply as a new applicant. The deadlines that matter When What happens Before the expiration date Renew normally After expiration, under 180 days Renew with a late fee (the statute sets it at $15) 180 days or more after expiration The license is permanently