Furnishing Weapons or Firearms to a Minor or Person of Unsound Mind
Furnishing covered weapons to a minor or a person of unsound mind, or knowingly and willfully selling or transferring a firearm to a minor, outside the stated permissions.
Florida Statute
§ 790.17
Furnishing weapons to minors or persons of unsound mind
Verified against the 2026 Florida Statutes: September 13, 2026
Quick Summary
The type of item and recipient determine the classification.
Classification Matrix
Use this as a quick classification reference. Specific facts, statutory circumstances, and charging allegations may affect the applicable result.
Weapon to Minor or Person of Unsound Mind
F.S. § 790.17(1)
Covered non-firearm weapon furnished to a minor without required permission, or covered weapon furnished to a person of unsound mind.
Firearm to Minor
F.S. § 790.17(2)(a)
Knowingly or willfully selling or transferring a firearm to a minor outside the stated permission.
Elements of the Offense
Elements of the Offense
Elements marked AND are cumulative. Elements marked OR identify statutory alternatives; one applicable alternative must be established when that theory is charged. Conditional elements apply only to the identified statutory track.
- Element 1AND — Required
Required Facts
The defendant sold, hired, bartered, lent, transferred, or gave a covered weapon or firearm to a recipient covered by the charged subsection.
Plain language: Identify the item, transfer act, and recipient.
- Element 2AND — Required
Required Facts
The transfer lacked the parental or guardian permission required by the charged provision, and was knowing and willful when that mental state is required.
Plain language: Verify the applicable permission and mental-state requirement.
Jury Instructions
Jury Instructions
Instruction 10.11
Furnishing a Firearm or Weapon to a Minor or Dangerous Weapon to a Person of Unsound Mind
Florida Standard Jury Instruction for the applicable alternative under F.S. § 790.17.
View Official InstructionVerified against the official instruction source: September 13, 2026
Additional Notes
Additional Notes
Quick Reference
Use the matrix to separate non-firearm weapons furnished to a minor or person of unsound mind from the knowing and willful firearm-transfer subsection.