TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida may be approaching allowing open carry of firearms. The state court of appeals held that Florida’s ban on open carry was unconstitutional, based on a Panhandle trial.
This opinion from the Court of Appeals could be the beginning of a major change to Florida’s gun laws. State legislator Michelle Rayner said it could make the state even more dangerous.
Florida’s open carry ban was deemed unconstitutional by the Court of Appeal
“Unfortunately, we are known for the pulse and massacre that took place at Marsey Lee Stoneman Douglas. It’s extremely frightening and discouraging to see that we even think about this event or even a bill that could be brought forward,” Rayner said. “I think we’ve been victimized by gun violence in the face of the victims here in Florida.”
The court found that the US Constitution protects the right to openly carry weapons for self-defense. He also said the open carry ban cannot be settled with that guarantee.
“This idea that you can’t protect yourself unless you have an open carry is actually wrong,” Rayner said.
In a post in X, Gov. Ron DeSantis said, “This decision coincides the state’s policies with my longstanding position and the majority of states across the coalition. Ultimately, the court correctly ruled that “the second amendment test – the ‘weapon’ test – what it means and what it means.”
The governor spoke briefly about Monday’s open carry and announced the second amended sales tax leave.
“There are carryies in 38 states. It’s not controversial. The sky didn’t fall into any of them. Why not pass it from the Florida House of Representatives?
“He’s wrong. At the end of the day, the sky may not have fallen, but we saw an increase in gun violence in these 38 states.
The court also confirmed that “history includes the right to inevitably openly to hold arms in public places. That is not that open carry is absolute or unimmunized from reasonable regulations.
Rayner said the legislative session will begin in January and enter committee week in October. She said someone could soon introduce a bill to allow open carry.
