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BREAKING: Florida just became a true Constitutional carry state, and every law-abiding patriot needs to know what changed in 2025. If you're a gun owner in the Sunshine State, this isn't just news: this is your new reality, and ignorance of these laws could land you in serious legal trouble.
On September 10, 2025, Florida's First District Court of Appeal delivered a victory for Constitutional conservatives that should have happened decades ago. The court ruled Florida's open carry ban unconstitutional, and the decision became effective September 25, 2025.
This historic ruling overturned a 1987 law that made it a misdemeanor to display firearms openly in public: a law that violated the Second Amendment for nearly four decades. The penalties were no joke: up to 60 days in jail and a $500 fine for simply exercising your Constitutional right.
The Florida Attorney General declared open carry "the law of the state," and even the Florida Sheriffs Association advised deputies not to enforce the unconstitutional ban. Finally, Florida joined the ranks of true Constitutional carry states.
But here's what every survival-minded patriot needs to understand: this doesn't mean you can carry anywhere, anytime. The devil is in the details, and those details could save you from a felony charge.
Open carry allows responsible adults to publicly carry a legally owned firearm that is kept in plain sight or partially concealed, in any location where carry is otherwise permitted. This is a massive shift from Florida's previous policy where you could get a concealed weapons license but displaying your firearm openly was illegal except for narrow circumstances like hunting or fishing.
Think about it: You could legally carry a concealed gun, but if your shirt rode up and someone glimpsed your holster, you could be charged with a crime. That insanity is finally over.
But here's the reality check every armed American needs: Just because open carry is now legal doesn't mean it's smart in every situation. Many law enforcement leaders recommend defaulting to concealed carry because it provides a safer tactical advantage and avoids unnecessary attention from both criminals and overzealous law enforcement.
Florida implemented permitless concealed carry on July 1, 2023: separate from the 2025 open carry ruling. This means law-abiding adults can carry concealed weapons or firearms without obtaining a concealed weapons license, provided they meet the same eligibility criteria required for a permit.
Critical requirements you cannot ignore:
Here's what the mainstream media won't tell you: This law restores Constitutional rights that should never have been regulated in the first place. The Second Amendment doesn't say "shall not be infringed unless you get government permission first."
Despite these Constitutional victories, numerous locations remain gun-free zones under state and federal law. Violating these restrictions isn't just a mistake: it's a felony that will destroy your life and strip away your gun rights permanently.
Government and Law Enforcement Facilities:
Schools and Educational Settings:
Political and Civic Venues:
Sports and Entertainment:
Alcohol Establishments:
Airports:
Private Property Rights Still Matter:
Property owners, including businesses and homeowners, retain the right to prohibit firearms on their premises. Major retailers like Target, Trader Joe's, and Walmart have policies restricting or prohibiting open carry in their stores. Publix requested that customers not openly carry guns in states where it's legal, though they allow concealed carry.
Workplace Considerations Every Armed Employee Must Understand:
Employers in Florida can prohibit firearms on their premises and should provide clear notices to employees and visitors. However, employers cannot ban legally-owned firearms that are locked inside vehicles in parking lots, nor can they retaliate against employees for having them.
Violating a private property owner's prohibition against firearms can constitute armed trespassing: a third-degree felony that will end your gun ownership rights forever.
Law enforcement officials have urged caution despite the new open carry law, and for good reason. Sheriffs have emphasized that just because open carry is legal doesn't mean it's allowed everywhere, and the legal consequences for getting it wrong are severe.
Essential points every law-abiding gun owner must remember:
Valid Identification is Mandatory: Anyone carrying a concealed weapon or firearm must carry valid identification at all times. No exceptions, no excuses.
Know the Restricted Areas: The law requires gun owners to understand where firearms remain prohibited, and these restrictions still carry serious penalties including felony charges.
Improper Exhibition Remains Illegal: Even with open carry legal, improperly exhibiting a firearm in a threatening or careless manner continues to be against the law. Brandishing, threatening, or using a firearm inappropriately will result in serious criminal charges.
Legislative Clarification Pending: The ruling states that further specifications need to be made by Florida lawmakers in future legislative sessions, particularly regarding gray areas in the law. Stay informed as these details develop.
Florida's state constitution protects the right to keep and bear arms while acknowledging that "the manner of bearing arms may be regulated by law." The state legislature has recognized that adult citizens retain their constitutional right to keep and bear firearms for hunting, sporting activities, defense of self, family, home, and business, and as collectibles.
This isn't about hunting or sport shooting: this is about your fundamental right to protect yourself, your family, and your community. Romans 13:1-2 reminds us to respect lawful authority, but the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, and these recent victories restore rights that should never have been infringed.
Gun owners must understand that while Florida has expanded carry rights, the responsibility to maintain compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws rests with the individual. Proper gun safety, secure storage, and awareness of current restrictions are essential for lawful firearm possession and carry in Florida.
Your action items as a law-abiding gun owner:
The choice is clear for every patriot who values Constitutional rights: stay informed, stay prepared, and stay within the law. These victories didn't happen by accident: they happened because Constitutional conservatives fought for what's right.
IMPORTANT LEGAL DISCLAIMER: Arrowhead Survival is not a law firm and we are not acting as legal counsel. The information in this blog post is for educational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Laws change frequently, and interpretations can vary. Readers should always consult current laws, check official references, and seek proper legal advice from qualified attorneys familiar with Florida firearms law. Arrowhead Survival is not liable for any mistakes, misleading information, or outdated content in this post. Readers assume full responsibility for ensuring their own legal compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal firearms laws.
Stay armed. Stay informed. Stay faithful.