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Publix just made a bold move in the wake of Florida’s newly restored open carry law.
The grocery giant confirmed this week it will allow customers to openly carry firearms inside all of its stores statewide, following the recent court ruling that struck down Florida’s decades-old open carry ban.
A Publix spokesperson told reporters the company is “simply following all federal, state, and local laws” in deciding to permit open carry across its stores.
The change comes as open carry becomes legal for the first time in Florida since 1987, after a court found the previous ban unconstitutional. The decision applies statewide—but not all retailers are on board.
Walmart, Target, Costco, and Winn-Dixie have already said they will not allow open carry inside their stores despite the legal change.
Local reaction in Clermont, where WESH 2 News spoke with shoppers, was mixed but leaned toward support.
“If I’m going to rob you and I got five people standing around you with weapons, chances are I’m going to think twice,” one shopper said.
He added, “If you’re open carrying, 99.9% chance I don’t think there’s a threat. If anything, it’s a security.”
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Others were more cautious. “There’s an awful lot of people out there that probably shouldn’t have access to a gun, particularly if they’re not trained,” one shopper said.
Attorney James Phillips of Katz and Phillips, known as The Firearm Firm, said the court decision that overturned the ban has left some gray areas.
“Open carry just came about last month here in Florida,” Phillips said. “It’s been banned since 1987, but we had a recent court case that found the statute to be unconstitutional. So now it’s applicable throughout the state.”
Phillips noted that lawmakers haven’t yet issued detailed guidance on where or how open carry can be exercised.
“We are absolutely going to get some guidance from the Legislature in this next session,” he said, adding that several clarifying bills are expected to be filed soon.
For now, the law stands—Floridians can legally carry openly, and Publix says they’ll respect that right.
As Phillips put it, “People who aren’t as gun friendly might hesitate when they first see it, but the law is the law. After time, people will get used to it.”
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is a seasoned outdoorsman, lifelong hunter, and the kind of guy who’d rather track whitetails than scroll social media. As an editor for GunsAmerica, he’s got a sharp eye for spotting both solid gear and bad gun laws. Whether he’s deep in the woods or deep in editorial deadlines, Larry brings a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is approach to firearms, hunting, and the great American tradition of self-reliance. If there’s a hot debate on gun rights or the latest in hunting tech, you can bet Larry’s got an opinion—and it’s probably backed up with both facts and field experience.
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I support open-carry, if that’s when you want to do. I don’t have a problem with it. Personally, I would never do it. I carry concealed and don’t want anyone else to know I’m armed. I’m not going to advertise it. I don’t have one of those cute little NRA stickers in the window of my truck. I don’t wear my GSSF ball-cap out in public, even though I’m a member and carry Glocks. Why put a bullseye on your back?
If I were a thug and intended to rob a bank, or cause any other ill-will, the first thing I’m going to do when I walk in the door is look for anyone open carrying and put a hole in their head.
If you don’t think it can happen, check out at least one example on YT of a young guy who get his nice pretty stainless steel beauty snatched out of his holster and used against him. Think about it…
Good for Publix! Imagine following an anti-agenda law… I am suddenly re-evaluating where I do most of my shopping.
The smartest thing for the state to do would be to offer free training for anyone that wants to carry open or concealed. It would help teach them to protect themselves and others legally, and I believe they would end up having less accidental injuries or deaths.
Only reason I’m responding is you have the same name as my Sunday School Teacher. Where I’m from, gun culture is with us from birth. Chances are, out of 2-3 people, 1 is concealed if not open, and chances are the other 2 have access to one in their car outside.
My children receive firearm safety at 5 years old, they are shown the potential damage that can come from negligent discharges.
I remember firearm safety was taught in elementary school and I think it needs to be common place early in schools again.
Many times shotguns and lever action rifles were seen in school parking lots in the 70’s at High Schools on gun racks in the back windows of pickups, going duck hunting or afternoon deer hunting, common.
I had a 66 Sky Blue Bronco with a Marlin Goose gun in the gun rack beside drivers seat. It was open, easily could have been stolen, but would never be.
Most of us though were members of churches that preached fire and brimstone, hells hot and heaven’s sweet.
In Mississippi, if we catch you not carrying crossing the state line, you will be pulled over and issued a firearm. JK on that!
I agree. We had firearm safety classes when I was in the 6th grade and I remember it to this day. I’m almost 70. I’ve been a gun enthusiast and collector my whole life. I’ve been carrying a gun since I was legally able to do so. Not once have I even thought of using a gun maliciously against other human being. But I will protect life and limb if necessary without second thought.
Guns are not evil. The person standing behind the trigger can be the problem.
Mr. Walker has a great idea.