Publix Becomes First Major Retailer in Florida to Allow Shoppers to Openly Carry Firearms After Landmark Court Ruling — Sparking National Debate Over Safety, Freedom, and the Second Amendment
Florida is once again at the center of America’s most heated constitutional debate — guns, rights, and where personal freedom meets public comfort. On the heels of a landmark September 25, 2025, appeals court decision overturning the state’s decades-old open carry ban, Publix has officially confirmed that customers will be permitted to openly carry firearms inside its Florida stores. The move follows the court’s ruling that the 1987 restriction on open carry violated the state constitution’s protection of the right to bear arms.
The decision marks a defining moment for Florida gun owners — and for the retail industry. Publix, a grocery chain deeply rooted in the state’s identity, announced that it will comply with the updated law and respect the rights of customers who choose to carry firearms visibly on their person. In a statement that quickly spread across local and national outlets, Publix emphasized its commitment to following the law while ensuring “a safe and respectful shopping experience for all customers.”
Video footage captured by WPLG Local 10 News showed shoppers leaving a Publix in Miami with holstered handguns visible at their hips — a sight that would have been illegal just weeks earlier. “It’s about time,” said one customer, smiling as she described how she felt safer knowing she could protect herself if needed. “People like me have been waiting years for this day. I’m a responsible gun owner. I follow the law, and I’m not out to scare anyone — I just want to feel secure.”
Florida’s new reality stems from a sweeping judicial ruling that reaffirmed the state’s pro–Second Amendment stance. Judges cited both the Florida Constitution and national precedents affirming citizens’ rights to bear arms in public. The decision builds on the state’s 2023 constitutional carry law, which already allowed concealed carry without a permit, and now fully legalizes open carry across the state.
The change, however, hasn’t come without pushback. Gun safety advocates have raised concerns about how open carry could affect public spaces, arguing that visible firearms may heighten tension and cause unease among customers. “You can’t tell who’s trained and who isn’t,” said one parent interviewed outside a Tampa store. “I support the Second Amendment, but this goes too far. I don’t want my kids asking why someone’s walking around with a gun next to the cereal aisle.”
Publix’s decision to follow the law stands in contrast to competitors like Winn-Dixie and Target, which have opted to continue banning open carry inside their stores to maintain “customer comfort.” For many, this contrast highlights the deep cultural divide in Florida and beyond — between those who view gun ownership as an inalienable right and those who see it as a growing public safety issue.
Still, for many Floridians, the sight of open carry represents not fear, but freedom. Social media lit up within hours of Publix’s announcement, with hashtags like #FreedomInFlorida and #2ARights trending across X (formerly Twitter) and Truth Social. Supporters celebrated the policy as a victory for law-abiding citizens and a symbol of Florida’s commitment to upholding the Constitution.
Governor Ron DeSantis, who has long positioned himself as a defender of Second Amendment rights, praised the development indirectly during a press briefing in Tallahassee. “Florida has always been a state that trusts its citizens,” he said. “We believe that rights aren’t granted by government — they’re protected by it.”
Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies across the state are advising citizens to remain informed about proper firearm handling and to understand the laws governing where open carry is still restricted, such as schools, government buildings, and private properties that post prohibitions.
As Florida embraces this new chapter, Publix’s decision could set a precedent for other major retailers nationwide. For now, one thing is clear: the Sunshine State has become the testing ground for what open carry in modern America looks like — a mix of pride, tension, and an unshakable belief in freedom.
