Criminal Justice Grants

Local Firearm Safety Training Program (LFSTP)

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) received authority to administer $1.5 million in recurring funds for the Local Firearms Safety Training Program under Chapter 2023-18, Section 37. The issuance of awards under this program is contingent upon continued appropriation of funds by the Legislature.

Funds received under this award must be used for the development, expansion, or instruction of firearms safety training classes hosted by law enforcement agencies for the general public. Sworn training initiatives and sworn training equipment are not eligible for funding under this program.

A solicitation for this program is released annually. Funds will be awarded on a first come, first served basis dependent on the receipt of a complete application packet. FDLE will continue issuing awards until all available funding is allocated.

View the Open Funding Opportunities webpage to determine if funds are available for the current fiscal year. Please direct any questions about this program via email to OCJGSFA@fdle.state.fl.us, or call (850) 617-1250.

Program Requirements

Beginning with FY24-25, award recipients are required to provide a minimum of four (4) firearms safety training classes to the public during the 12-month project period.

Allowable and Restricted Expenses

Funds provided under this program may be used to support the following:

Overtime and related fringe benefits for sworn officers for the development, preparation, and/or instruction of public firearms safety training.
Pre-printed curriculum materials (books, brochures, etc.).
Presentation equipment and supplies.
Training firearms and training ammunition.
Range day equipment and supplies.
Registration fees and travel costs for sworn officers to attend Firearm Instructor training.

Activities occurring prior to the start date of the award period are unallowable. In addition, funds provided under this program may not be used to support the following:

Regular salaries/positions (non-overtime).
Overtime for community events, school presentations, or other purposes not allowable under the scope of this award.
Trinkets and giveaway items.
Participant uniforms.
Construction/remodels.
Food and beverage.
Vehicles, tractors, or trailers.
Travel to and from training classes.
Administrative costs and overhead.

Equipment and supplies that will be primarily utilized for sworn training (tasers, OC spray, weapon lights, night vision, etc.) are not allowable under this program. FDLE will approve/deny each item in the proposed budget during the application phase.

Reimbursement Process

Upon execution of the State Financial Assistance Agreement, Recipients are able to request reimbursement for eligible expenses in their approved budget. The steps for this process are described below:

Recipient prepares an LFSTP Payment Request Form (Excel).
Recipient gathers all required supporting documentation by budget category.
Recipient submits request form and all supporting documentation to OCJGSFA@fdle.state.fl.us for review and approval.

Supporting Documentation Required for Payment

Personnel/Fringe Benefits: (a) a timesheet that includes the member name, date worked, hours worked, and grant-funded program name; (b) a pay stub reflecting the overtime hours and rate of pay that correlates to the submitted claim; and (c) if requesting benefits, the pay stub must reflect the amount of FICA/retirement (or other benefits) paid by the recipient organization, not the member deduction.
Travel/Training: (a) a copy of the training agenda; (b) a completed State of Florida travel voucher; and (c) receipts for hotel, parking, registration, airfare, rental car, etc. Food receipts are not required. Travel will be reimbursed in accordance with State of Florida Travel Guidelines in Section 112.061, Florida Statutes. Mileage claimed must include a printed map showing the total miles between destinations.
Equipment, Supplies, Other Costs: (a) procurement documentation (quotes, bids, etc.); (b) purchase orders; (c) invoices; and (d) cancelled checks or bank/credit card statements.