Florida’s Open Carry Ban: An Unconstitutional Assault on the Second Amendment

Standing Up for Your Right to Bear Arms

The Second Amendment is not a suggestion—it’s a right. Yet, in states like Florida, that right is being chipped away piece by piece by unconstitutional legislation masquerading as “common sense gun control.” Gun Owners of America (GOA), in partnership with the Gun Owners Foundation (GOF), has taken a bold stand by filing a motion for summary judgment to strike down Florida’s longstanding open carry ban.

At Fortress Firearms Training, we stand firmly on the side of individual liberty and the constitutional right to self-defense. Laws like Florida’s open carry ban not only violate the Bill of Rights but also put law-abiding citizens at a disadvantage in dangerous situations. For those of us who believe in responsible gun ownership and personal accountability, the need to challenge such laws is more urgent than ever.

The Background of the Ban

Florida’s open carry prohibition, in place for decades, only allows exceptions for those involved in hunting, fishing, camping, or traveling to and from a shooting range. Unfortunately, this narrow bandwidth overlooks the spirit of the Second Amendment. By criminalizing open carry for otherwise law-abiding citizens, the law turns defensive tools into liabilities.

When GOA and GOF joined forces to challenge this legislation, they brought attention to a deeply flawed legal precedent that limits how Americans can exercise their right to bear arms.

Key Issues with Florida’s Current Law

• Violates Constitutional Rights: Florida’s policy openly defies the Second Amendment, which plainly protects an American’s right to “keep and bear arms”—not just in private but publicly as well.
• Creates Legal Confusion: Law-abiding citizens can carry concealed with a permit, but removing a jacket or re-positioning a shirt could lead to accidental open display—and criminal scrutiny.
• Denies Choice: Individuals should have the right to determine how they carry for self-defense. Whether open or concealed, the key is the ability to defend oneself effectively.

This is precisely the environment GOA and GOF are working to correct. Filing a motion for summary judgment, they firmly argue the state is trampling constitutional rights and must be held accountable. And they aren’t the only ones who should care.

Why Every Gun Owner Should Pay Attention

Open carry bans like Florida’s are a slippery slope. While the state allows residents to possess firearms, it tightly regulates how they may be carried. For anyone who values the ability to defend themselves and their family, that’s not just bad law—it’s dangerous policy.

Legal cases like this one could set critical precedents for firearm policy in other states, especially as opponents of the Second Amendment become more emboldened to push stricter controls at both state and federal levels.

If Florida—a state traditionally known for supporting gun rights—upholds such restrictions, what hope remains for others?

The Role of Firearms Training in Advocacy

As advocates for the Second Amendment, part of our mission at Fortress Firearms Training is to provide high-quality firearms instruction that empowers citizens to carry confidently, whether open or concealed. Knowledgeable, well-trained gun owners are the last line of defense—not just against crime but against erosions of liberty.

Our courses emphasize:

• Safe firearm handling under any circumstance
• Clear understanding of your legal rights and boundaries
• Situational awareness and defensive decision-making
• Combatting misinformation with facts and preparedness

Education is the antidote to fear-based narratives pushed by anti-gun activists and out-of-touch lawmakers.

Dispelling Myths About Open Carry

Let’s tackle a few of the common misconceptions that fuel anti-open carry rhetoric:

• “Open carry intimidates people.” – The presence of a lawfully carried firearm does not create a threat. Criminals don’t follow laws; responsible citizens do.
• “It invites gun violence.” – There’s no reliable data supporting this claim. In fact, public carry promotes deterrence, not danger.
• “Only law enforcement should open carry.” – The Constitution guarantees all law-abiding citizens the right to bear arms, not just government employees.

Those pushing these points fail to recognize that the average gun owner is more law-abiding than many segments of society. Stripping them of their rights does nothing to deter crime—it simply emboldens criminals.

What This Lawsuit Means for the Future

If successful, this legal challenge could dismantle the misinformation-fueled arguments behind open carry bans and return the debate to where it should be: our constitutional freedoms.

Victory in Florida would:

• Set a positive legal precedent for other states considering similar bans or restrictions
• Reinforce gun owners’ right to choose how they carry based on comfort, defensive needs, and situational awareness
• Send a clear message to lawmakers that unconstitutional laws will not go unchallenged

Too often, legislation targeting peaceful gun owners is passed under the guise of public safety. Let’s call it what it really is: political theater aimed at satisfying anti-gun agendas while doing nothing to deter actual criminals.

Join the Fight for Constitutional Carry

Now more than ever, we need engaged citizens who understand their rights and are prepared to stand firm in defense of them. Whether that’s through legitimate legal challenges like those led by GOA, grassroots advocacy, or seeking professional instruction, the time to act is now.

At Fortress Firearms Training, we remain committed to empowering Americans through knowledge and preparedness. If you’re tired of being told when, how, or even if you can carry, it’s time to reclaim your rights with both legal support and professional training.

Liberty is not up for negotiation. Let your voice be heard. Exercise your rights. And join us in the important mission of training responsible citizens who won’t be silenced by politically driven fear tactics.

Ready to enhance your skills and stand strong for your rights? Visit Fortress Firearms Training and sign up for a class today.

Let’s train smart, stay free, and never back down.