For the time since the 19th century, citizens in Florida can carry a slungshot without facing the possibility of being arrested on a misdemeanor charge of carrying an illegal weapon.
Earlier this spring, Gov. Rick Scott signed House Bill 4009 into law. The new law strikes the slungshot from the list of illegal weapons in the Sunshine State, allowing people in Florida to make, sell and carry a concealed slungshot.
Republican Rep. Neil Combee of Polk City first introduced the proposal in 2015, where it died in committee. This year Combee’s bill passed both houses of the legislature unanimously. Combee told the Ft. Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel when he first introduced the bill that it was partly in reaction to a woman in Polk City who made slungshots as keychains.
“As far as I’m concerned, they leave a lot to be desired when it comes to a personal defense item,” Combee said. “But people don’t know it’s against the law to carry them.”
Slungshot: A Self-Defense Tool
In an interview with Bay News 9, Louis Krudo, a self-defense expert and owner of Krudo Knives, explained that the slungshot actually can be useful as a self-defense weapon if you have the proper training.
“The slungshot, which is a ball that can be either marble or steel, is wrapped in paracord or some sort of string and can fit on your key or in your pocketbook. It can be used as a self-defense tool,” Krudo said.
Slungshots originated among sailors. They were typically used to provide weight at the end of rope when throwing one from ship to shore. Sailors took to carrying a slungshot with a bit of rope attached, which is when it moved from tool to concealed weapon.
“The sailors, when they were in a fight, would actually use this ball to defend themselves,” Krudo said.
Florida eventually added slungshots to the list of illegal weapons in 1868, where it remained for 148 years, according to Guns.com.
Slungshots Today
As noted by Krudo, slungshots now are available in a variety of forms, including small keychains and necklaces.
But he warned that simply having a slungshot is not enough. You need to actually know how to use it.
“It’s not as simple as flinging this tool around,” Krudo said. “So, some training would be required.”
Still not legal. Florida state statutes Chapter 790 still makes it illegal to own or manufacture slungshots.
So what’s the deal with this story if you insist it’s still illegal, which is of course ridiculous as are most laws that give the good citizens less and less protection to keep themselves safe against those who don’t give an S about laws in the first place.
So which is it? I mean here remains this story (shrugs)
Still illegal…. you gonna believe rex kwan do here? or your own lying eyes https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2013/790.001
This is the bill turned law which supersedes 790.01 & 790.09 removing slingshot from the afore mentioned law. The fact that the text of 790 hasn’t been updated on the website doesn’t mean that the statute was not changed
https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=54942
Slungshot was what I typed slingshot is what my phone decided that I must have meant to type. Sorry for the confusion.
I’m gonna carry one regardless always been one.of my favorite self defense weapons. I carried a 5 Oz fishing sinker on My long keychain. Instant whip action. Because when a crazy has his mind set on you. You better be ready to Slung the hell out of him and hope. You get him before he gets you. This weapon gives you a fighting chance…..hell yeah !!!
Your looking at the 2013 statutes,you need to look at the changes in the 2021 version
I’m searching for information on stinger whips as weapons in Florida, but they are not specifically mentioned in the statutes. The closest I’ve gotten is a “slungshot”, which may or may not be legal – I need to hire a lawyer to get to the truth.