“On Sept. 10, the First District Court of Appeal in Tallahassee struck down Florida’s general ban on the open carrying of firearms, declaring Section 790.053, Florida Statutes, unconstitutional.
“This decision is not yet final. It will become final if no appeal is filed within 30 days.
“Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office deputies were informed of the court decision and given guidance on how to handle such circumstances according to our policy and Florida law. Deputies will undergo additional training to ensure proper application of the law and also to help them educate the public on the Do’s and Don’ts regarding statutory restrictions related to open carry laws.
“In the meantime, I would like the public to know some quick facts related to what you should know about open-carry laws and I would encourage you to educate yourselves on this change.
- Do check local ordinances in your county or municipality. Some places may have additional restrictions.
- Don’t openly carry in sensitive or restricted areas where law or regulation still forbids it (courthouses, schools, some government buildings, etc.).
- Do know that private property owners still have the right to prohibit both open and concealed carry on their premises.
- Don’t display or brandish a firearm in a reckless or threatening manner.
“As your Sheriff, I fully support the Constitution and our Second Amendment rights. Your OCSO deputies are highly trained and will continue to serve with excellence as we transition to an open-carry state.
“Understand that deputies may be called by citizens who are unaware of this change to respond to an armed person. If deputies are called by citizens unaware of this change, they will respond as if to an armed-person call. We ask for your cooperation and understanding as deputies work to verify law circumstances.
“Our priority is both safety and constitutional rights. OCSO will continue training deputies and sharing information with the community so everyone, including residents, visitors, and property owners, understands what this change means.
“As your Sheriff, I remain committed to protecting both the safety of our community and the constitutional rights of our residents. By working together with patience, respect, and understanding, we can ensure this transition strengthens both public safety and the freedoms we all value.”
