MANDEVILLE, LA — I joined Tom Gresham on Gun Talk to talk through Florida’s recent open carry change. For years, Florida was one of just a handful of states that banned open carry outright, except in limited cases like hunting or fishing. That ban was recently struck down, and the new rules are set to take effect September 26. The full audio of the show is embedded below, and my segment starts around the 02:47 mark.
On the show, Tom brought up a common concern that if your concealed gun became visible, you could be charged with a crime. A lot of people have heard that. But digging into Florida law, the statute actually carved out an exception for “brief” or accidental exposure, as long as you were not waving the gun around or displaying it in a threatening way. So, a shirt riding up or a breeze blowing open a cover garment was not automatically a crime.
That said, Florida’s old law still created confusion and left carriers walking a fine line. With the outright ban on open carry now gone, the risk of misinterpretation or uneven enforcement is reduced. The bigger point is this: Floridians now have the choice to carry openly, not just concealed.
Of course, the critics are rolling out the same old arguments. We heard it back in the 80s when Florida first moved to concealed carry permits and there were warnings of blood in the streets. It never happened then, and it has not happened in any of the 30-plus states that already allow open carry. The idea that police will simply start shooting citizens for carrying openly does not line up with reality. Yes, there have been rare tragedies in chaotic active-shooter situations, but just standing in line with a holstered pistol has never been a reason for police to open fire.
Another takeaway I shared on the show is the value of having options. At a recent CCW Safe force-on-force class, I had a scenario where pepper spray would have been the better tool than a gun. Having a light, spray, and a plan alongside your firearm gives you more choices in how to handle a situation. The goal is always to avoid needing to pull the trigger if possible.
Tom also gave me the chance to highlight USA Carry. Since 2007, we have built tools like our concealed carry reciprocity maps that let you click your state to see where your permit is valid and which permits your state accepts. He even pulled up Idaho and California live. Idaho honors everyone. California honors no one. It is a perfect example of why it pays to check before you travel.
I have also been seeing more people outside the traditional gun culture take an interest in carrying responsibly. Neighbors and friends who lean left politically are asking about training and safe handling. That is a good thing, because once people see carrying is about safety and responsibility and not looking for trouble, the whole conversation shifts.
Gun Talk has been on the air nearly three decades, giving shooters a place to share stories, get training advice, and hear about the latest news. It was great to be part of the show and help clear up what Florida’s open carry change really means.
In addition to our discussion, Tom covered a range of other topics during the show. He talked about new rifles hitting the market, the Franklin Armory “Antithesis” and its legal challenges with the ATF, and why some gun owners choose to keep a rifle in their vehicle. He also took calls from listeners who shared their own carry setups and perspectives. It was a wide-ranging hour that showed just how much ground Gun Talk covers every week.
