Publix Embraces Florida’s New Open Carry Law

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.”

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.”

*** Buy and Sell on GunsAmerica! ***