Open carry is now legal in the state of Florida following a decision on Sept. 10 by a three-judge panel with the 1st District Court of Appeal. The decision declared Florida’s law banning open carry to be unconstitutional and a violation of the Second Amendment.
The state was given 15 days to appeal the ruling; however, it was clear by a post on X by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier that the state was happy with the decision.
“This is a big win for the Second Amendment rights of Floridians. As we’ve all witnessed over the last few days, our God-given right to self-defense is indispensable,” he wrote.
Jack Pickett, owner of Pickett Weaponry in Newberry, said on Sept. 25, the first day Floridians could legally open carry, that while he supports the right to open carry, it is not something he will be participating in.
“It’s not for me, but I believe it’s your right as an American to carry a weapon openly if you choose to,” he said. “It’s also your responsibility as an American to know when and where you can actually draw that weapon.”
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: VIDEO: Open carry now legal in Florida. Here’s what a longtime Newberry firearms dealer thinks
Reporting by Alan Youngblood, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
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