Where can you not open carry in Florida?
Asked by: Mariane Bode | Last update: May 25, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (29 votes)
In Florida, you generally cannot open carry in government buildings (courthouses, police stations, polling places), schools/universities, airports, correctional facilities, and private businesses that prohibit it (like many grocery stores: Walmart, Target, Publix), with additional federal restrictions applying to places like federal buildings and military bases, and specific state prohibitions for bars/sporting events. While Florida law allows open carry (post-2023 rulings), it's restricted in sensitive and specific locations, and private property owners can still forbid it.
Where can you not carry a gun in Florida?
Possession Restrictions
- Any place of nuisance as defined in s. ...
- Any police, sheriff, or highway patrol station;
- Any detention facility, prison, or jail;
- Any courthouse;
What stores in Florida do not allow open carry?
Grocery stores
Publix has banned customers from openly carrying firearms in any of its 880 Florida locations since 2019. The policy is the same for Walmart and Target.
Can you open carry anywhere in Florida?
Anyone who can lawfully possess a firearm under state and federal law may openly carry in Florida.
Does Walmart allow open carry in Florida?
Walmart: Walmart does not allow open carry of weapons in any of its stores, but they do allow the concealed carry of weapons in accordance with state laws. If a customer is observed openly carrying a firearm at a Walmart location, it is up to the discretion of the store management to decide what to do.
Florida’s New Gun Laws Explained: What You Still CAN’T Do Without a Permit
Can I open carry in Publix?
Publix has confirmed that customers are now permitted to openly carry firearms inside its stores across the state. “Treating Publix customers with dignity and respect is a founding belief at Publix, and we follow federal, state and local laws."
Can you carry a gun in a bar in Florida?
F.S. 790.06(12)(a)(12) prohibits civilians from carrying guns into the portion of that establishment where alcohol is being served and consumed. In fact, Florida is one of just 15 states (as of this writing) that prohibits concealed carry of guns in bars or other places that serve alcohol.
Why did Florida ban open carry?
The reason given was to delay implementation of open carry provisions while people became accustomed to concealed carry. While in special session over an unrelated tax matter, the legislature added the open carry ban to the agenda and quickly passed the measure.
Can I open carry in my car in FL?
No Open Carry: Florida does not allow the open carry of firearms in public, including in vehicles, except under certain circumstances. Exceptions: You may carry a firearm openly when engaging in lawful activities such as hunting, target shooting, or fishing, and when traveling to or from those activities.
Does open carry mean you can walk around with firearms?
“Openly carry” means the weapon is visible and not loaded; if it is loaded, a different law, Penal Code § 25850, controls and elevates the stakes. Merely having ammunition on your person while openly carrying an unloaded handgun can trigger an additional sentence enhancement (see § 25850(c)).
Does Target allow firearms?
No, you generally cannot carry firearms (openly or concealed) in Target stores; Target has a corporate policy requesting guests not to bring guns into their stores, even where local laws permit it, to maintain a safe, family-friendly environment, so it's best to leave firearms at home. While Target follows local laws, their request to avoid firearms is a company-wide guideline for both open and concealed carry, making stores effectively gun-free zones due to this policy.
Can you open carry in a public library in Florida?
While a library close to a school or sharing building space with a courthouse could remain gun-free, the bulk of county libraries are now forced to welcome gun holders.
Can I conceal carry at the beach in Florida?
Yes, anyone 21 years old or older who can legally possess a firearm, may concealed carry a firearm without a permit. Is open carry permitted in Florida? Generally no.
Can you carry a gun in a bank in Florida?
If you plan to deposit a large sum of cash or put other valuables in a safety deposit box, you may ask, “is it illegal to carry a gun in a bank?” There is no explicit law forbidding lawful firearms owners from carrying a concealed weapon into a bank in Florida unless the bank in question is considered federal property.
Do you have to tell a cop you have a gun in your car in Florida?
To be clear, Florida Statute 790.06 - “License to carry concealed weapon or firearm” states that an individual has no “duty to inform” a law enforcement officer that they are carrying a concealed weapon or firearm (some states do, however).
Can you open carry with a holster in Florida?
Open carry means that a person can display a firearm while they are out in public. The firearm is usually placed inside a holster. In 2023, DeSantis signed a law that allowed gun owners to conceal their firearms without a permit. The bill allows anyone who can legally own a gun in Florida to carry one without a permit.
What is the new open carry law in Florida?
Stat., unconstitutional, Florida's attorney general instructed prosecutors and law enforcement not to enforce the ban, making Open Carry the new “law of the state.” In plain English: adults who can lawfully possess a firearm may now carry it openly in most public places, subject to important limits.
Does Publix allow open carry in Florida?
Guns and groceries: A Florida shopper's guide to open carry and which stores allow it. A Florida court decision invalidated the state's open-carry ban, prompting Publix to allow open carry in its stores. The new policy has caused concern among some shoppers, while Second Amendment advocates have celebrated the change.
Can I conceal carry in Walmart in Florida?
Yes, you can generally conceal carry in Walmart stores in Florida, as their policy bans open carry but allows concealed carry in accordance with state law, meaning you need a valid Florida Concealed Weapon License (CWL) to carry hidden, but you must still respect the store's rules against open display and be aware of other Florida laws that prohibit concealed carry in certain locations like schools or government buildings. Ignoring a store's no-gun request can lead to trespassing charges, potentially a felony if armed.
Can I open carry at restaurants in Florida?
Restaurants. As long as the primary function of the restaurant is food service, you can lawfully possess your firearm in a Florida restaurant, unless they state otherwise. However, open and concealed carry is not allowed in bars or the bar areas of restaurants.
Where am I not allowed to carry a gun in Florida?
Our criminal defense lawyers explain the places in Florida where a legally owned firearm may not be carried – even with a concealed weapons permit – according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: Any place of nuisance. Any police, sheriff or highway patrol station.
Can you have a drink and carry a gun?
Yes, it's almost always a crime to carry a firearm while under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance. Some states make it a crime to carry a firearm while consuming alcohol or drugs regardless of whether the person is intoxicated. Most often, these offenses come with misdemeanor penalties.
Can I walk with a gun in Florida?
www.jaxsheriff.org - JaxSheriff.org. Starting July 1, 2023, new legislation takes effect in the state of Florida which authorizes a person to carry a concealed weapon or firearm pursuant to a valid concealed weapons license or without a concealed weapons license provided that the criteria for obtaining a license is met ...