Source: http://www.husseinandwebber.com/crimes/weapons-crimes/improper-exhibition-of-a-firearm-or-weapon/
Timestamp: 2019-04-24 20:09:03+00:00

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In Florida, Improper Exhibition of a Firearm or Weapon is the exhibiting of a weapon, such as a gun or knife, in threatening, angry, or careless manner. The offense carries penalties of up to 1 year in jail and possible forfeiture of the weapon.
The offense of Improper Exhibition of a Firearm or other Weapon is defined under Section 790.10, Florida Statutes.
The defendant did so in the presence of one or more persons.
A defendant may be convicted of improper exhibition for merely carelessly, angrily or rudely displaying a weapon. It is not necessary that the defendant make a threatening gesture with the weapon in order to be convicted. Kase v. State, 581 So. 2d 612, 613 (Fla. 1st DCA 1991).
It is also not necessary that the exhibition be carried out in an intentional manner. Mere “careless” display of the firearm or weapon is sufficient to subject the accused to criminal liability. Stone v. State, 402 So. 2d 1222, 1223 (Fla. 5th DCA 1981).
A single act of exhibition in the presence of more than one person cannot result in multiple convictions. So long as the exhibition takes place as part of a single episode, a defendant can only be convicted of one offense. Lambert v. State, 200 So. 3d 1295 (Fla. 2d DCA 2016); Vance v. State, 472 So. 2d 734, 735 (Fla. 1985).
To support a conviction for Improper Exhibition of a Firearm or Weapon in Florida, the instrument used by the accused must qualify as a firearm or other listed “weapon” under the statute.
The definition of a “firearm” is straightforward. It means any weapon (including a starter gun) which will, is designed to, or may readily be converted to expel a projectile by the action of an explosive. See Section 790.001(6), Florida Statutes.
In interpreting the term “weapon” under Section 790.001(13), Florida appellate courts have held that the definition applied only to those objects or instruments specifically listed in the statute (including firearms), or those objects or instruments classified as a “dangerous weapon.” If the weapon is not specifically listed, then it must qualify as a so-called “dangerous weapon,” or there can be no conviction.
Florida Courts have defined “dangerous weapon” as “any instrument which will likely cause death or great bodily harm when used in the ordinary and usual manner contemplated by its design and construction.” See Robinson v. State, 547 So. 2d 321, 323 (Fla. 5th DCA 1989).
An object can become a deadly weapon if its sole modern use is to cause great bodily harm. R.V. v. State, 497 So. 2d 912 (Fla. 3d DCA 1986). In addition, an object can be construed as a deadly weapon because of its use or threatened use during a crime. Robinson, 547 So. 2d at 323.
Under Florida law, Improper Exhibition of a Firearm or Weapon is classified as a first degree misdemeanor. As such, the offense carries penalties of up to 1 year in jail or 12 months of probation, and a $1,000 fine. Improper Exhibition of a Firearm or Weapon is a permissive lesser-included offense of aggravated assault.
Moreover, even though intent is not a required element of the crime, the absence of intent to exhibit can often be used as mitigating factor in negotiations with the prosecutor. In appropriate cases, an attorney can ask that the charge be amended to a less serious offense, such as disorderly conduct. This will spare the accused the long-term negative consequences of a weapons-related conviction.
State vs. D.C. (Fourth Judicial Circuit, Duval County, Florida) (2014)- Our client was charged with Improper Exhibition of a Firearm after allegedly pulling out a pump-action shotgun in front of a nearby resident, loading the chamber, and stating “get off the property.” Two other witnesses to the incident gave slightly different versions of the event, while maintaining that a threat had been made.
Upon being retained in the case, our attorneys reviewed the various witness statements in the case, and noted that, not only did the statements differ, but that one of the witnesses’ allegations did not technically amount to an improper exhibition. On these grounds, we made early contact with the assigned prosecutor and her division chief, and obtained an agreement to drop the charges.
If you have been charged with Improper Exhibition of a Firearm or Weapon, contact Hussein & Webber, PL for a free consultation. Our law firm handles cases in Jacksonville, Orlando, and the surrounding counties.

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