There is no statewide minimum age to shoot at a gun range in Florida. State law draws its line at 16: a shooter who is 16 or 17 can possess a firearm for recreational shooting without a supervisor, while anyone under 16 needs an adult present who has the parent or guardian’s consent.1Florida Senate. Florida Code 790.22 Federal law adds a separate rule for handguns, and individual ranges almost always set stricter policies than either statute demands. Where you go matters as much as how old you are.
The Age-16 Line in Florida Law
Florida generally prohibits anyone under 18 from possessing a firearm, but recreational shooting at a range is one of the written exceptions. The exception works differently depending on age.
At 16 or 17, you can legally possess a firearm during marksmanship practice or other recreational shooting. The statute does not require an adult to stand next to you while you shoot.1Florida Senate. Florida Code 790.22
Under 16, you can still shoot, but only while supervised by an adult who has your parent or guardian’s consent. The law does not spell out what supervision looks like in terms of physical distance; it requires an adult to be present and actively overseeing the minor’s use of the firearm.1Florida Senate. Florida Code 790.22
Federal Handgun Rules Add a Second Layer
State law makes no distinction between handguns and long guns for a supervised minor at a range. Federal law does, and it applies in Florida.
Anyone under 18 is federally prohibited from possessing a handgun. Target practice is an exception, but the minor must carry prior written consent from a parent or guardian, and that consent has to be on their person the entire time they possess the handgun.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 922 – Unlawful Acts
There is no equivalent written consent requirement for rifles and shotguns. So a 16-year-old showing up to a Florida range with a rifle is covered by state law alone, but a shooter under 18 using a handgun needs a signed note from a parent or guardian physically on them. Many ranges fold that consent language into their own waiver, but the legal obligation sits with the minor and the parent, not the range.
What Individual Ranges Require
State law sets a floor. Ranges build on top of it. Florida’s firearm preemption law stops cities and counties from passing local gun rules, but it does not restrict what a private business can require.3Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes 790.33 Range policies are usually stricter than the statute.
Common range rules include:
- Minimum age floors, often 10 or 12, sometimes with minimum height requirements.
- A parent or legal guardian must accompany anyone under 18, even though state law would let a 16-year-old shoot without a supervisor. Some ranges extend this to under 21.
- Arm’s-reach rules that keep the accompanying adult next to the minor on the firing line.
- Caliber restrictions by age. Younger children may be limited to .22 rimfire rifles; older teens get more options but may still be kept off high-recoil loads.
- Valid government-issued photo ID for the accompanying adult. Some ranges also ask for proof of the parent-child relationship.
- A liability waiver signed by the parent or guardian, typically including an agreement to supervise the minor at all times and follow all range safety rules.
Call ahead. Policies vary enough between facilities that a phone call or a look at the range’s website saves a wasted trip, especially with younger children.
The Under-21 Rule for Older Teens
Since 2018, Florida has prohibited anyone under 21 from purchasing a firearm. The statute reads: “A person younger than 21 years of age may not purchase a firearm.” Licensed dealers are separately barred from making or facilitating any sale or transfer to someone under 21.4Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes 790.065
If you are 18 to 20, you can legally possess a firearm and shoot at a range without any supervision or parental consent requirement. You just cannot buy one. The rule covers handguns and long guns, with narrow exceptions for law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and active-duty military.4Florida Legislature. Florida Statutes 790.065
The practical effect at the range: if you’re 18 to 20 and don’t already own a firearm, you’ll need to rent one on site or bring a companion. Some ranges restrict solo shooters under 21 from renting, often requiring a partner. Confirm the rental policy before you drive out.
Getting the Firearm to the Range
Florida law lets a minor transport an unloaded firearm directly to or from a lawful shooting activity like range practice.1Florida Senate. Florida Code 790.22 The operative words are “unloaded” and “directly.” A stop off along the way can pull you out of the exception.
For minors transporting handguns, federal law requires the handgun to be unloaded and in a locked container during transport to and from the range.2Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 922 – Unlawful Acts Interstate transport rules add that the firearm must be unloaded and stored somewhere other than the passenger compartment; if the vehicle has no separate compartment, it must be in a locked container that is not the glove compartment or center console.5Office of the Law Revision Counsel. 18 U.S. Code 926A – Interstate Transportation of Firearms Even for travel entirely within Florida, the locked-container approach is the safest legal practice.