How to Dispose of a Gun Legally in Florida

To legally dispose of a firearm in Florida, you can sell it through a federally licensed dealer like GunBuyback.org, turn it in to local law enforcement, or destroy it using a method approved by the ATF.

Get Rid of Your Gun in Florida with GunBuyback.org

If you're looking to safely get rid of a firearm in Florida while receiving cash compensation, GunBuyback.org offers a secure solution. Start by submitting your gun details through our gun submission form.

You can dispose of gun collections or single firearms. Once we review your information, we’ll send a fair cash offer. If you accept, we’ll provide a prepaid shipping label and handle the rest.

As a federally licensed entity, we ensure every transaction follows ATF rules and aligns with applicable Florida laws.

How to Legally Destroy the Firearm

To legally destroy a firearm, you must make the receiver permanently unusable. The ATF outlines several approved destruction methods:

• Melting the receiver in a foundry
• Shredding the receiver using industrial machinery
• Crushing the receiver with hydraulic tools
• Torch-cutting the receiver in at least three prescribed locations using an oxy/acetylene torch, in accordance with firearm type

What Penalties Exist for Improper Gun Disposal in Florida?

Florida does not have a statute that specifically penalizes improper gun disposal. However, careless disposal could result in fines or imprisonment under Florida Statutes § 790.174 or reckless endangerment laws, depending on the consequences of the disposal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to notify authorities when disposing of a gun?

Florida law does not require you to notify law enforcement when you destroy or sell a firearm. However, if you're surrendering it to a police department, always call first to ask about their turn-in procedure and schedule a safe drop-off.

Can I sell my gun legally for disposal?

You can sell a firearm for disposal in Florida. Just make sure the buyer is legally allowed to possess firearms or is a licensed service like GunBuyback.org.

Are there local programs for gun buyback?

Florida sometimes has local buyback events but they are rare, one-off occasions. For a legal and year-round option, consider GunBuyback.org for disposal of firearms.

How should I prepare a gun for disposal?

Here’s how to prepare a firearm for disposal depending on the method:

• For destruction: Make sure the firearm is fully unloaded. Follow ATF guidelines or use a certified destruction service.
• For police surrender: Never walk into a law enforcement building with a firearm. Contact the department and follow their procedures.
• For GunBuyback.org: Complete our submission form. Once we send an offer and you accept, you’ll receive step-by-step instructions along with a prepaid label.

What documents are required for gun disposal?

Florida does not require any specific documentation for destroying or surrendering a firearm.

What happens if the gun owner dies?

When a firearm owner dies in Florida, their firearms may pass to heirs as part of the estate. For full guidance, read our state-specific inheritance article:

To learn more, see our guide to what to do when a gun owner dies in Florida.

Disclaimer: The information supplied here is designed to be informative, but does not constitute legal advice. Laws change regularly and these pages are not updated often enough to guarantee accuracy at all times. Please see a lawyer if you need precise legal counsel.