Warning: Florida’s Open Carry Law Still Has Limits

Florida’s new open carry law takes effect September 25, but Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd is warning gun owners not to misinterpret what that means.

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In a WFLA interview, Judd emphasized that while open carry is now on the books, plenty of restrictions remain.

Schools, courthouses, and government buildings are still off-limits. His advice: default back to the concealed carry rules until the legislature clears up the gray areas.

“I’ve spoken with the Senate president, the House speaker, and the governor’s chief of staff,” Judd explained. “We need to tighten the rules through legislation. Until then, people could easily misinterpret the law.”

That misinterpretation could get someone in serious trouble. Even though open carry is legal, a person could still find themselves in handcuffs if they walk into the wrong place.

Judd said to “just stay away” from schools and government buildings, period.

The sheriff isn’t shy about his Second Amendment support, but he’s equally blunt about tactics. He argues that carrying concealed offers a critical advantage.

“If you expose a firearm, you’re making yourself a target,” he said. “Bad guys don’t get scared off by a holstered gun. They’ll try to take it from you and use it against you.”

Judd went even further: “I want you to carry concealed so that if you have to use a firearm to protect yourself or someone else, you have the tactical and surprise advantage. All of that goes away if it’s exposed.”

That message might surprise some in the pro-gun community, but Judd is speaking from a street-level perspective. Criminals already carry illegally. They’re not fazed by someone wearing a pistol on their hip or slinging an AR-15 across their back.

For law-abiding citizens, open carry may feel empowering, but Judd warns it could paint a target on their back.

The sheriff’s bottom line: open carry may now be legal, but it doesn’t mean open carry everywhere. Florida’s appellate courts have already upheld restrictions, and more legislative action is likely coming.

Until then, Judd’s advice is simple—stick with concealed carry and avoid risky gray areas.

Whether you agree with him or not, Judd’s words highlight the reality: the law isn’t as straightforward as it seems, and tactical considerations still matter.

What about you? Do you plan to take advantage of Florida’s new open carry law, or do you see concealed carry as the smarter play?

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