The Florida First District Court of Appeal has ruled the Open Carry Ban unconstitutional. The Jacksonville Sheriff's Office announced the ruling in a social media post on Wednesday, which changes the regulations regarding the public carrying of firearms in the state.
The ruling affirms the Second Amendment right to bear arms, establishing that open carry of firearms is constitutional in most public areas. Following the decision, the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office instructed its officers that individuals cannot be detained or arrested solely for openly carrying a firearm. As a result, it is expected that legally armed adults openly carrying firearms will become a more common sight in public spaces throughout Florida.
Business owners and private property holders retain the right to establish their own policies regarding firearms on their premises, whether carried openly or concealed. They can continue to prohibit the carrying of firearms in their establishments if they choose.
It is important to note that the new permissions for open carry do not apply universally. Certain areas remain off-limits, including schools, courthouses, police and sheriff’s offices, specific government buildings, K–12 campuses, school buses, school-sponsored events, and colleges and universities. Individuals who violate these restrictions, such as convicted felons or those committing crimes, will face legal consequences for unlawful firearm possession.
