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Local Law Enforcement Will No Longer Enforce Florida’s Open Carry Law
September 11, 2025
Local law enforcement agencies said Thursday morning that they will stop enforcing Florida’s open carry law.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office, the Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Pensacola Police Department all said they will not enforce the state law banning the open carry of firearms. The move follows a decision Monday by the First District Court of Appeal that found the law unconstitutional.
“Recently, the First District Court of Appeals declared Florida Statute 790.053 (Open Carry Ban) unconstitutional. While it is possible that the State of Florida could appeal this ruling, it seems unlikely. As such, I am instructing my deputies to no longer enforce the open carry ban found in FSS 790.053,” Escambia County Sheriff Chip Simmons said Thursday morning.
The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and the Pensacola Police Department also said they will comply with the court decision.
Comments
23 Responses to “Local Law Enforcement Will No Longer Enforce Florida’s Open Carry Law”
@Joy Bryant –
I find you comments in extremely poor taste and indicating a level of idiocy. “Being an American” has nothing to do with “open carry”. Actually open carry – under the Second Amendment is about as American as it gets. You, however, would strip away that right. THAT doesn’t sound very “American”. Attempting to insult someone by calling them a “Republican” smacks of partisan hate – THAT is un-American. In your scenario concerning the rude driver, I submit he would be LESS prone to demonstrate his barbarism knowing his target was armed. That is called a deterrent. Open carry does not mean everyone can carry a weapon. Those restricted to non-carry must still follow those guidelines. Open carry lets you know who is armed and who is not. Mass shooters like soft targets. Knowing their intended targets are armed would give the would be killer a serious pause to reconsider.
Every one keeps calling it your permit. (CCW) Florida issues a concealed weapon and firearm license. Let that sink in a second. I carry a concealed firearm, but I carry other weapons that are just as deadly, and our silent, people need to wake up.
I was a hunter with my husband and saw what a bullet does to a deer yards away–gun safety gun training should be imperative –I HAD that training -those that are angry probably didn’t
@ Joy Bryant
I feel like I should just mention, an armed society is a polite society. The last thing a responsible gun owner wants to do is pull their weapon.
I reside in a different state now, but am permitted to concealed carry. I’ve had the bird flipped, had some tense interactions with people who were oblivious I had a gun on me. In those situations, a responsible gun owner deescalates the situation.
The only characters shooting like the Wild West are gang members and thugs.
If you’re so ashamed, move. Idiot.
@HAHA, ditto.
@haha I am NEVER rude or disrespectful to anyone – but I will make an exception for you–WHAT a disgrace that guns can be worn–stay out of Walmart-stay out of concerts and any place with rude gun carrying idiots can be MURDERS will rise-innocents will be killed–so so so so ashamed of FL.
@Joy Bryant. I think you forgot to actually READ that article. Please educate yourself before responding. Open carry is NOW LEGAL in the state of FLORIDA. Imagine the same nutjob you mentioned and not being able to defend yourself against that threat. Oh wait, you didn’t even consider that, did you? THANK GOD the judges woke up and removed that open carry ban. I will not likely carry that way, because I like the element of surprise on my side, but I like that I can legally do so.
Yes, we can be a sanctuary for legals! Now there’s some straight shooting.
thank GOD that Florida does NOT allow open carry!! Think about the people blowing their horns-giving you the finger-yelling because you didn’t move fast enough for a red light – or switched lanes and the were in your blind spot!! NOW give that nut a gun!!!! Even in the wild west–the towns began making you giving the sheriff your gun until you left town!!!! WAKE UP idiots
THANK YOU for being an American instead of a republican!!!! SOOOOOO proud of you
I’m just glad that as my homeowners insurance continues to skyrocket, quality of education for my kids goes down, and unregulated development paves over most of the state, I can strap a pistol to my side to ease my paranoia when I go shopping for groceries that get more expensive every week. Praise the Lord.
@Esc co leo
If you are actually a Leo with ECSO, then you would know the proper abbreviation for our sheriff’s office and know that our ability to fully express our 2nd amendment rights were taken away in 1987, when open carry was banned in Florida.
I am a former law enforcement officer. My wife and son are currently LEOs, one with the county and one with the state. They knew what the op meant. Why didn’t you?
@james Rea. Your 2nd amendment right was never taken away. You could concel carry with a permit for decades, then recently conceal carry without a permit. All this does is give us the option to legally open carry. Nothing about our 2nd amendment rights were ever taken away, so there was nothing to be restored.
That could be a photo for someone’s next political campaign. God, Guns and Glocks. That’s all NWFL cares about and it’s easy to remember for the non-readers.
Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
If you haven’t practiced weapon retention tactics, don’t do it.
Get the permit, carry concealed. Just now you don’t have to worry if your shirt pulls up or your jacket flies open.
As it should have been all along.
When can we expect to see the expungement of peoples’ records who’s sole crime was open carry since the “law” was found unConstitutional from it’s conception?
Great news. If other places can be a sanctuary city for illegals and not enforce immigration laws, then we can be a sanctuary state for open carry.
Good call by our local PD’s.
@ James Rae
Permitless concealed carry was already lawful in Florida before this ruling. So I fail to see how this “restores” your 2nd amendment right – it was never taken away.
Major step forward for Florida gun owners. I just pray that the people will carry with respect for others. Not just carry to be a “bad Ars” to flex their muscles. We see these people on u tube all the time deliberately trying to induce a response from people and law enforcement just because they want to argue their rights. “DON’T BE THAT GUY PLEASE”!! I agree that you don’t need a 30 rd mag in an AR-15 to go catch bluegill in the river or pompano on the beach. You have the right but you also have a great responsibility that goes with it. Just think before you strap on you side arm and sling your rifle over your shoulder. There is a time and place for it. It’s just my opinion.
At Last!!!
Gotta support our local law enforcement . Watch national news and see how other law enforcement agencies act in other jurisdictions ; I think we are lucky .
This is one of the best things that has happened in the State of Florida. For many years, Florida residents have been trying to get open carry in our that, but the legislature has failed us every time. Thanks goodness that a case finally came before the appeals court, and they decided to enforce the 2nd Amendment in their decision. Thankfully, the Escambia County Sheriff’s Dept and the Pensacola Police Department will abide by this decision and no longer enforce the open carry ban. Finally, justice is being done, and our 2nd Amendment right has been restored in the State of Florida.