Florida appeals court strikes down open-carry gun ban

[crockett]

At least some good news here in Florida.

1.) Our state AG wrote that he won't appeal. If no appeals come in within 15 days, they have to write it on the books.

2.) Gun and ammo sales are sales tax free until the end of the year.



Some sheriffs already declared that they stopped enforcing the open carry ban since yesterday.



https://weartv.com/news/local/escambia-and-santa-rosa-deputies-pensacola-police-will-no-longer-enforce-open-carry-ban


https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2025/09/10/clay-county-sheriff-says-she-has-instructed-deputies-to-not-enforce-open-carry-ban-following-florida-courts-decision/

[sqlbullet]

I am personally not a huge fan of open carry as a tactic.  I understand the arguments for the practice, and among them I agree that helping to normalize the presence of an armed citizen is a good thing.

But I am absolutely opposed to any laws that would restrict my ability to choose to open carry.  My home state is above average, but has some strange stipulations about long guns having to be in a scabbard rather than just slung. I would like to see those go.

[crockett]

I am personally not a huge fan of open carry as a tactic.  I understand the arguments for the practice, and among them I agree that helping to normalize the presence of an armed citizen is a good thing.

But I am absolutely opposed to any laws that would restrict my ability to choose to open carry.  My home state is above average, but has some strange stipulations about long guns having to be in a scabbard rather than just slung. I would like to see those go.

This perspective changed on my end, too.

The advantage of surprise with a concealed handgun and rather being a grey man, will step aside. And once that unconstitutional law was removed from our books, I will carry openly - where legally allowed - in full support of our rights.

This is not the time to hide and be grey anymore. This is the time to be loud.

Needless to say, my head will be on a swivel and I won't walk through the hood at night. My red county is a very low risk.

[The_Shadow]

While Louisiana has always been open carry, years ago I opted to get my conceal carry license/permit even though it cost $150 the first 5 years and then $125 the 5 years after that.  That also allows better reciprocity between the other states. I still maintain my license even though Louisiana had recently passed a No Permit Conceal Carry.

[crockett]

While Louisiana has always been open carry, years ago I opted to get my conceal carry license/permit even though it cost $150 the first 5 years and then $125 the 5 years after that.  That also allows better reciprocity between the other states. I still maintain my license even though Louisiana had recently passed a No Permit Conceal Carry.

Same here. FL went conditional concealed carry 2 years ago, and I still renew my license.

In FL, all law enforcement can see in their system if a vehicle is registered to a concealed carry license holder. Many LEOs prefer this over the "average" Joe having a gun rolling around in the car.

The license also removes the waiting period when buying guns at a dealer.

Our state AG advised all police agencies yesterday to stay down and not enforce the open carry ban anymore. Most sheriffs announced that they will follow the guidance, but some refuse to update their public statement, still keeping their first statement official, claiming that residents in their county have to wait till the 25th, when the deadline for appeal runs out.

If they would arrest anybody, they will get sued, and they will loose the case too.

Keep in mind, that those are Republican sheriffs. They will face the consequences at the next election, because many of us can't stand a LEO that makes up his own laws, and ignores the state AG.

Either way. I will carry open, at least for a while, making sure that some folks and LEOs get used to the new norm.

I won't pester any businesses and stay legal. I also won't walk around with a rifle around my neck. Just a pistol on my hip with a proper holster.

I will also always carry open in my vehicles. A draw is much faster and less risky with no clothing getting into the way.

And I will also stop using IWB holsters, even when carrying concealed. I'm sick an tired of a holster rubbing against my skin - and I won't wear 2 t-shirts in our heat either. I also hate the size limitation with IWB carry. When I will start carrying my G40, that thing won't be inside my pants!

[crockett]

Well, open carry is now official-official in Florida since a few days, even in my county. Our sheriff's office finally confirmed as well.

And my desire to carry open went away before I even tried it

I haven't seen a single person carry open, and we are packed with conservatives.

I think the negative and implied stigma is the main reason. Too many will judge it as showboating, instead of exercising our rights. Being a possible target is a distant second.