Florida’s Open Carry Ruling: What It Means and Why Training Is Critical
Florida’s gun laws just took a major turn. A three-judge panel of the Florida First District Court of Appeal ruled that the state’s ban on open carry was unconstitutional. They pointed to the Second Amendment and the long history of Americans carrying firearms openly as their reasoning.
With this ruling, open carry is now legal in Florida. The Attorney General has confirmed there will be no appeal. The ban is gone.
But before you strap on your holster and walk into town, you need to understand something: more freedom also means more responsibility. The law still has sharp boundaries, and ignoring them can get you into serious trouble.
Why the Court Changed the Law
The court went back to basics. The Second Amendment says the right to keep and bear arms “shall not be infringed.” For centuries, ordinary citizens carried firearms openly as part of daily life. Florida’s ban, the judges decided, didn’t fit with that history.
So the ban fell. The ruling makes open carry the default mode of bearing arms in Florida.
This is a victory for constitutional rights. But rights alone won’t protect you if you misuse them.
Where You Still Cannot Carry
Open carry is legal, but not everywhere. Florida Statute 790.06 lays out the restrictions. Step into one of these places armed, and you’ve broken the law.
Prohibited Locations:
- Schools – including K-12 campuses, colleges, and school events.
- Courthouses – and any place where court proceedings are held.
- Polling Places – on Election Day.
- Government Buildings – restricted state and local facilities.
- Airports – beyond TSA-controlled secure areas.
If you ignore these boundaries, you’re not exercising your rights — you’re committing a crime.
Private Property and Open Carry
There’s another layer many forget: private property rights.
- A homeowner or business can forbid firearms on their property.
- A simple “No Guns” sign doesn’t automatically hold legal weight in Florida.
- But if the owner asks you to leave and you refuse, that becomes armed trespass — a felony that can wreck your future.
Example:
You’re open carrying at a grocery store. The manager approaches and says, “Sir, please take your firearm outside.” If you argue or refuse, you cross the line into a serious crime. If you leave calmly, you remain in the clear.
The lesson? Respect property owners.
What This Ruling Really Means for Gun Owners
This ruling is a big win for freedom, but it also puts the spotlight on gun owners.
- Discipline Matters: How you carry will be noticed. Sloppy behavior makes all gun owners look bad.
- Knowledge Protects You: Ignorance of the law isn’t an excuse. Know 790.06 inside and out.
- Respect Is Key: Private property owners have the final say on their land.
Freedom Without Training is Dangerous
Here’s where the truth bites: having the right to carry doesn’t mean you have the skill to carry responsibly.
- Training builds confidence. You’ll know how to handle your firearm without hesitation.
- Training reduces mistakes. You’ll learn when to draw and, more importantly, when not to.
- Training protects your future. If you’re ever forced to defend yourself, your record of training proves you acted responsibly.
Open carry makes firearms more visible in public. That means all eyes are on you. One careless act — an unsafe holster draw, a reckless attitude, a failure to follow the rules — could be used as fuel by those who want more restrictions.
This is why Valortec’s licensed instructors don’t just teach you to shoot. They teach you the judgment, safety, and discipline that protect both you and your rights.
The Bottom Line
The Florida court’s ruling is historic. It restores the right to carry openly, just as citizens have done throughout America’s history. But freedom comes with limits:
- Know the law.
- Respect private property.
- Avoid prohibited places.
- Train harder than the minimum.
The ruling gave you the right. Training ensures you use it responsibly.
👉 Train with Valortec. Build the skills, confidence, and judgment that Florida’s new open carry era demands.
