Are FRT Triggers Legal in Florida? Yes — But Read This

Florida's current statewide statute is permissive on forced reset triggers — but this is one of the most actively watched FRT states in the country right now.

FRTs are not banned under Florida law as of 2026. Florida has no specific statute prohibiting forced reset triggers, and the state does not classify them as machine guns. At the federal level, FRTs were confirmed legal under the May 2025 DOJ settlement.

But here is the catch: several major retailers are actively declining to ship FRTs to Florida due to pending state legislation that could change the legal status. That makes Florida different from a fully permissive state like North Carolina or Texas.

If you own or plan to buy an FRT in Florida, the current answer is legal — with a significant watch-your-back caveat.

Key Takeaways

• FRTs are currently legal in Florida. No Florida statute explicitly bans forced reset triggers as of 2026.

• Florida is not a fully permissive state. Pending state legislation has put Florida in a "monitor closely" category among retailers and firearms attorneys.

• Several major retailers decline Florida FRT shipments. They cite pending legislative activity as the reason — a signal the legal landscape could shift.

• FRTs are legal at the federal level. The May 2025 DOJ settlement confirmed FRTs are not machine guns under the National Firearms Act.

• Florida defines machine guns narrowly. Under Florida law, a machine gun fires more than one shot per trigger pull — FRTs do not meet that definition.

• One source classifies Florida as "legally ambiguous." As of July 2026, at least one firearms compliance tracker lists Florida alongside the 15 outright-banned states.

• The handgun restriction still applies. The federal DOJ settlement prohibits FRTs on standard pistol configurations nationwide, including Florida.

What is a forced reset trigger?

A forced reset trigger (FRT) is a drop-in trigger replacement for semiautomatic firearms, most commonly AR-style rifles.

Unlike a standard semiautomatic trigger — where the shooter must release and re-engage the trigger manually — an FRT uses the firearm's cycling action to mechanically push the trigger forward after each shot. This allows faster follow-up shots while still requiring a separate trigger pull for every round fired.

That "one pull per shot" requirement is what separates FRTs from machine guns under federal law — and from Florida's machine gun definition under state law.

FRTs are different from:

• Machine gun conversion devices (Glock switches, auto sears) — which fire multiple rounds per trigger pull and are federally illegal

• Bump stocks — which use recoil to repeatedly engage a standard trigger

• Binary triggers — which fire on both pull and release

Federal law on FRTs in 2026

The federal legal battle over FRTs ended in 2025 after years of back-and-forth between the ATF and FRT manufacturers.

The key rulings

June 2024 — Supreme Court's Garland v. Cargill decision: The Supreme Court ruled bump stocks are not machine guns because they don't fire more than one round per single trigger function. This decision directly undermined the ATF's parallel argument against FRTs.

July 2024 — Federal court vacates ATF classification: U.S. District Judge Reed O'Connor in Texas ruled FRTs are not machine guns under federal law, vacating the ATF's classification as unlawful.

May 2025 — DOJ settlement with Rare Breed Triggers: The Department of Justice reached a settlement with Rare Breed Triggers, ending all litigation. The federal government agreed:

• FRTs are not machine guns under the National Firearms Act

• All federal enforcement actions against FRT owners ceased

• Previously seized devices would be returned

• Rare Breed Triggers could resume legal sales

Florida state law on FRTs

Florida does not have a specific statute banning FRTs. Here is how the state's legal framework applies.

Florida's machine gun definition

Florida law defines machine guns as firearms that fire more than one shot per trigger pull without manual reloading. FRTs require a separate trigger function for every round fired. Under this definition, FRTs do not qualify as machine guns under Florida law.

Florida does not classify FRT triggers as machine guns, so they are not banned under state law for ownership or use. Possession is allowed for individuals 18 years or older who are legally permitted to own firearms in Florida.

No FRT-specific statute

Florida's firearm statutes focus primarily on prohibited persons, unlawful carry, and fully automatic weapons. The state has not enacted a "multiburst trigger activator," "rate-of-fire enhancer," or similar statute that other states use to capture FRTs within their bans.

This is the key legal distinction between Florida and banned states like California, New York, and Illinois — those states use broad language explicitly designed to cover rate-of-fire devices regardless of the federal classification.

No new legislation enacted as of 2026

As of 2026, there have been no significant recent changes or court decisions in Florida specifically addressing FRT triggers. Florida continues to regulate firearm accessories under existing laws without new prohibitions.

Why Florida is still a "watch closely" state

Despite the permissive current status, Florida stands out from other permissive states for one important reason: active legislative pressure.

Florida's statewide statute is permissive as of April 2026, but several large retailers decline Florida shipments due to pending state legislation.

That retailer behavior is significant. FRT dealers who track legislation closely enough to halt shipments are seeing bill activity that could change Florida's status in the near term.

One major firearms compliance tracker classifies Florida as "legally ambiguous" alongside the 15 states with outright bans — not because a ban exists today, but because the legal trajectory is uncertain.

Compare this to North Carolina or Texas, which are classified as fully permissive with no legislative activity of concern.

What this means for Florida buyers:

• Purchasing and possessing an FRT in Florida is currently legal

• The law could change during a Florida legislative session

• Some retailers will not ship to Florida regardless of current legality

• Consulting a Florida-licensed firearms attorney before purchasing is strongly recommended

Florida vs. banned states: the key difference

It helps to understand what makes other states' bans effective — and why Florida hasn't crossed that line yet.

Florida's current statute does not use the broad "increases rate of fire" language. If a future Florida law adopts that model, FRTs would likely be captured by the ban.

The handgun restriction: applies in Florida too

Regardless of Florida's state law, the federal DOJ settlement restriction on handguns applies everywhere in the United States, including Florida.

The settlement prohibits FRTs on handguns where the magazine loads into the trigger-hand grip — the standard pistol configuration (Glock, M&P, 1911, etc.).

What is and is not permitted under the federal settlement:

• FRTs on AR-style rifles and carbines — permitted

• FRTs on AK-style rifles — permitted

• FRTs on AR-style pistols where the magazine inserts ahead of the grip — permitted

• FRTs on standard handguns (magazine in grip) — prohibited nationwide

This is not a Florida state restriction. It applies in every state, permissive or not.

Who cannot own an FRT in Florida

Even though FRTs are currently legal in Florida, standard federal firearms eligibility rules apply. The following individuals cannot legally own an FRT:

• Anyone convicted of a felony

• Anyone subject to a domestic violence restraining order

• Anyone convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence

• Unlawful users of controlled substances

• Anyone adjudicated as mentally defective or involuntarily committed

• Fugitives from justice

• Non-citizens not lawfully present in the United States

Traveling with an FRT to or from Florida

If you travel with an FRT from Florida to another state, that state's laws apply to you. Florida's current permissive stance provides no protection in banned states.

States where traveling with an FRT could result in criminal charges include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, and Rhode Island.

Do not assume federal legality covers you in these states. It does not.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are FRT triggers legal in Florida?

Currently yes. Florida has no specific statute banning FRTs, and the state's machine gun definition does not cover devices that fire one round per trigger pull. However, pending legislative activity makes Florida one of the most closely watched states for potential FRT restrictions.

Why are some retailers not shipping FRTs to Florida?

Several major FRT retailers decline Florida shipments due to pending state legislation that could ban or restrict FRTs. This is a proactive compliance measure, not a response to an existing ban.

Are FRTs legal under federal law?

Yes. The Department of Justice settled with Rare Breed Triggers in May 2025, confirming FRTs are not machine guns under the National Firearms Act. Federal enforcement against FRT owners has ceased.

Can I put an FRT on a handgun in Florida?

No, not on a standard handgun where the magazine loads into the grip. This restriction comes from the May 2025 federal DOJ settlement and applies in all states, including Florida. FRTs are permitted on rifles, carbines, and AR-style pistols where the magazine inserts ahead of the grip.

What would make FRTs illegal in Florida?

If Florida passes legislation using broad "rate-of-fire enhancer" or "multiburst trigger activator" language — similar to California, Maryland, or Nevada — FRTs would likely be captured by the ban. Monitor the Florida legislative session for any firearm accessory bills.

Is Florida a fully permissive state for FRTs like North Carolina?

Not exactly. While both states currently permit FRTs, North Carolina is classified as fully permissive with no legislative activity of concern. Florida carries an active watch-closely status due to pending legislative activity, and some retailers treat it differently.

Do I need a permit to own an FRT in Florida?

No special permit or license is required beyond the standard requirements for owning the firearm it is installed on. Normal federal and Florida firearms eligibility rules apply.

Florida's FRT status is technically legal in 2026 — but it is the least settled of any permissive state. The pending legislation, retailer hesitancy, and "legally ambiguous" classification from at least one compliance tracker all point to a state that could shift. If you own an FRT in Florida or plan to buy one, stay current with the Florida legislative calendar and consult a licensed Florida firearms attorney for advice specific to your situation.