Florida’s open carry becomes law Thursday
https://baynews9.com/fl/tampa/news/2025/09/25/florida-open-carry-becomes-law-today-
BY Jason Lanning Tampa
UPDATED 10:58 AM ET Sep. 25, 2025 PUBLISHED 4:46 AM ET Sep. 25, 2025
TAMPA, Fla. — Open carry, often known as constitutional carry, of a firearm is going into effect Thursday across Florida.
A ban on open carry was overturned by an appeals court earlier this month, paving the way for gun owners’ right to carry a firearm openly in areas permitted by state and federal law.
What You Need To Know
Open carry of a firearm is going into effect on Thursday across Florida
Gun owners now have the right to carry a firearm openly in areas permitted by state and federal law
Opinions are mixed about the change in law that attorneys say could land gun owners in big trouble if they don’t understand where they can and can’t carry a weapon.
Attorney Michael Petro has defended dozens of gun rights cases and says if you open carry in areas or businesses, even if they aren’t specifically banned by law, you could face prison time.
“If a private landowner or a private business clearly states that you are not allowed to carry a gun, and someone at the establishment says that you have to leave, you have to leave,” said Petro. “If you don’t leave, then you become what’s known as an armed trespasser, and that is a third-degree felony in the State of Florida, which is a very, very serious felony.”
A third-degree felony in Florida could have you serving a prison sentence of 5-plus years.
The list of locations gun owners are banned from carrying weapons concealed hasn’t changed, and that list also applies to open carry as it goes into effect Thursday.
The list includes government buildings, schools, sporting events and other locations.
View a complete list of locations you cannot carry a firearm.
Questions about Open Carry charges or federal firearms charges? Contact Michael J. Petro, 110 North 11th Street, Suite 202, Tampa, Florida 33602 | (813) 499-9111 | attorney@mjpetro.com.