Florida's Gun Laws: A Closer Look at Open Carry and Its Effects

Florida has long been known for its strict gun laws, particularly its ban on openly carrying firearms in public. This ban has been in place since the 1980s, but it's not the first time the state has tried to restrict open carry. In fact, Florida first banned open carry way back in 1893. The ban was briefly lifted in 1983, but lawmakers quickly reversed course and reinstated it in 1987. The main reason for the ban was to protect Florida's image and attract tourists. Recently, Florida's 1st District Court of Appeal made a big decision. They ruled against the state's open carry ban. This ruling has sparked a lot of debate, especially among law enforcement officials. The Florida Sheriff's Association, which represents all 67 sheriff's offices in the state, has long opposed open carry laws. They argue that open carry makes it harder for officers to identify threats during active crime scenes. In fact, states that have loosened their gun laws have seen a 12. 9% increase in officer-related shootings. But the impact of open carry doesn't stop there. Research has shown that relaxing gun laws can lead to higher rates of violent crime. A study that looked at 217 large cities over 41 years found that violent crime rates increased after states relaxed their firearm carry laws. One reason for this could be that more visible guns lead to more thefts. Gun violence is a serious issue in the United States. In 2023 alone, over 27, 300 people died by suicide using a firearm. Suicides account for 60% of all firearm deaths in the U. S. And while gun-related homicides have decreased since the 1990s, gun-related suicides have been on the rise. Despite the concerns, Florida lawmakers have been trying to lift the open carry ban for decades. The most recent attempt was in 2025, but the bill was withdrawn before it could even be introduced. Many lawmakers have cited the Sheriff's Association's opposition as a reason for their stance against open carry. In light of the recent court ruling, the Sheriff's Association has advised all 67 sheriff's offices in Florida not to enforce the open carry ban. This means that for now, openly carrying a firearm in Florida is legal. But the debate is far from over.