Frequently asked questions
Got a question before you book a class? Start here. I put this page together to answer what students ask most — about me, about the classes, and about the Florida laws that come up in almost every course. Click a link to jump to a specific topic.
A note before you dive in: the legal sections below are general information, not legal advice. Florida firearms and self-defense law has real nuance, and the details of your situation matter. When in doubt, talk to a licensed Florida attorney.
About Jamarkus & Integrity Tactical Solutions
Who is Jamarkus B. Anderson?
Jamarkus is the owner and head instructor at Integrity Tactical Solutions (ITS), a USCCA-certified firearms training company based in St. Petersburg, FL. He's a USCCA Training Counselor, NRA-certified Pistol and Rifle Instructor, and Range Safety Officer, with a 28-year martial arts background that shapes how he teaches — awareness and mindset first, marksmanship second. He's also President and Founder of Black Brass Gun Club and an active member of USCCA, NRA, GOA, and NAAGA.
What makes ITS different from other firearms training?
Jamarkus teaches the way he'd want to learn — no jargon, no judgment, no drill-sergeant energy. Every class blends firearms fundamentals with real situational awareness and, when relevant, his martial arts background in integrated self-defense. Students leave capable, legally informed, and respected, whether it's their first time holding a firearm or their fiftieth range day.
Where is ITS located, and what areas do you serve?
Integrity Tactical Solutions is based in St. Petersburg, FL, and serves the greater Tampa Bay area, including Clearwater, Tampa, Brandon, and surrounding Pinellas County communities.
How do I contact ITS or book a class? Call or text (727) 231-1198, email info@integritytacsolutions.com, or book directly at integritytacsolutions.com. You can also find ITS on Instagram and Facebook @integritytacsolutions.
Our Classes & Training
What classes does ITS offer?
ITS offers firearms fundamentals courses, concealed carry classes, defensive pistol training, non-lethal defense courses (pepper spray, stun guns, and tasers), and USCCA instructor certification for those looking to teach.
I've never touched a firearm. Can I still take a class?
Of Course! — most students start exactly there. Fundamentals classes are built for first-timers and cover safe handling, storage, and shooting basics in a no-pressure environment before you ever move toward carry-level training.
Do you offer non-lethal defense options for people who don't want to carry a firearm?
Yes. ITS teaches non-lethal defense courses covering pepper spray, stun guns, and tasers, for students who want practical self-defense tools without firearms.
Will a class at ITS satisfy the training requirement for my Florida Concealed Weapon License? ITS courses are built to meet Florida's firearm competency training standard required under F.S. § 790.06(2)(h). Confirm the specific course and current requirements when you book, since license processing is handled by the state, not by ITS.
Florida Concealed Weapon License (CWL) — Eligibility
Do I need a license to carry a concealed firearm in Florida?
No. Since July 2023, Florida has been a permitless carry state — eligible adults can legally carry a concealed firearm without a state-issued license. That said, many students still choose to get the Concealed Weapon License (CWL) because it provides reciprocity in 35+ other states, lets you skip Florida's mandatory waiting period on handgun purchases, and serves as documented proof you've met the state's training and background standards.
What are the basic eligibility requirements for a Florida CWL?
Under F.S. § 790.06(2), you generally must have no felony convictions, no disqualifying domestic violence history or active injunctions, no adjudication of mental incompetence or involuntary commitment, and you must complete a state-approved firearms training course demonstrating competency. You'll also need to be a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident.
What's the minimum age to apply for a Florida CWL?
This recently changed. As of a June 17, 2026 ruling by Florida's Fourth District Court of Appeal (Eubanks v. Florida), the state's 21-and-older CWL requirement was found unconstitutional as applied to law-abiding 18-to-20-year-olds, and the Attorney General's Office chose not to appeal. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) — the agency that issues CWLs — has confirmed it is now issuing licenses to eligible applicants 18 and older. Because this is a recent legal development, confirm current status directly on FDACS's site before applying.
How much does a Florida CWL cost, and how long does it take?
s of 2026, a new CWL application costs $102, and the license is valid for 7 years. Processing typically takes 50 to 90 days from the day FDACS receives a complete application, so plan ahead if you're relying on it for an upcoming trip or purchase.
Where do I apply, and where can I find the official eligibility list?
Applications go through FDACS, either by mail or in person at an FDACS regional office or an authorized Florida tax collector's office. For the full, current eligibility list, go straight to the source: FDACS Concealed Weapon License Eligibility Requirements.
Florida Firearm, Carry & Self-Defense Law — Where to Find It
Where can I read Florida's actual gun laws for myself?
Go to the state's official statutes portal, Online Sunshine, at leg.state.fl.us/Statutes, or the Florida Senate's statutes archive at flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes. Florida's weapons and firearms laws live in Chapter 790, and the state's self-defense laws — including Stand Your Ground — live in Chapter 776. Both are free, searchable, and updated as the legislature acts.
What is Florida's "Stand Your Ground" law?
It's the common name for a set of provisions in Chapter 776, primarily §§ 776.012, 776.013, and 776.032. In short: a person who is lawfully present somewhere and not engaged in criminal activity has no legal duty to retreat before using force — including deadly force — if they reasonably believe it's necessary to prevent imminent death, great bodily harm, or a forcible felony. It also provides a path to pretrial immunity from prosecution in qualifying cases. The details of "reasonable belief" and how immunity hearings work are exactly the kind of thing worth discussing with an attorney, not guessing at.
What's the "Castle Doctrine," and is it different from Stand Your Ground?
The Castle Doctrine is the part of § 776.013 specific to your home, residence, or occupied vehicle. It creates a legal presumption that you reasonably feared death or great bodily harm if someone unlawfully and forcefully enters (or tries to enter) that space — which shifts the legal footing in your favor compared to a self-defense claim in public. Stand Your Ground is the broader "no duty to retreat" principle that applies more generally, including in public.
Where do I find the rules on open carry versus concealed carry?
Open carry of a firearm is generally restricted under F.S. § 790.053, with narrow exceptions. Concealed carry — with or without a license — is governed by §§ 790.01, 790.013, and 790.06. All three sections are available at the Online Sunshine link above.
Does ITS give legal advice about self-defense law?
Jamarkus teaches Florida self-defense law as part of class curriculum so students understand the legal framework they're training inside of — but that's legal education, not legal representation. If you're facing an actual legal situation, or need advice specific to your circumstances, that conversation belongs with a licensed Florida attorney.
Restoring Your Rights After a Felony
If I have a past felony conviction, can I ever legally own or carry a firearm in Florida again?
It's possible, but it isn't automatic, and it isn't the same process as restoring your civil rights (voting, jury duty, holding office). Firearm rights specifically require their own path through the Florida Office of Executive Clemency — restoring civil rights alone does not restore the right to own, possess, or carry a firearm.
What's the difference between "civil rights restoration" and "firearm rights restoration" in Florida?
Civil rights restoration (vote, jury, public office) is handled under the Rules of Executive Clemency and, for many, can happen through an automatic review process after eligibility requirements are met. Firearm rights are separate: you generally need to apply for a full pardon or for "specific authority to own, possess, or use firearms" through the same Office of Executive Clemency, which is a distinct, more involved application.
Who handles rights restoration applications in Florida?
The Florida Office of Executive Clemency, part of the Florida Commission on Offender Review. Their official page — with the application, eligibility rules, and current process — is the right starting point: Office of Executive Clemency.
Should I try to handle a firearm rights restoration application on my own?
You can start by reviewing the official Clemency requirements yourself, but this is a legal process with real consequences if it's done incorrectly, and eligibility can depend on the type of conviction, out-of-state or federal history, and other case-specific factors. Most people going through this work with an attorney who focuses specifically on Florida clemency and firearm rights restoration.
Is Florida law in this area changing?
It can, and it has moved before. Rights restoration policy in Florida has shifted more than once in recent years, and firearm-specific restoration is an area of active legal discussion. If this applies to you, don't rely on general information (including this page) — check the Office of Executive Clemency's current rules directly or speak with an attorney before making decisions.