'The laws apply to you': Tampa Bay firearm instructors weigh in on open carry

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Gun instructors are encouraging residents to understand the law before openly carrying firearms in Florida. The warning comes as Florida’s open carry ban, which stood for decades, will soon come to an end.

The state will be on board with law abiding adult citizens carrying their firearms in public.

NRA instructor Joe Yagar gave 8 On Your Side a side-by-side view of the open and concealed carry of a gun. He said the same rules apply, you must be 21 years old, you don’t need a permit, and you can’t have a criminal record. But it doesn’t end there.

“The laws, again apply to you. So if you don’t know what you’re doing, you are more of a danger to the surrounding society than you are an asset,” Yagar said.

He warns what you do the in the gun range is not the same as what you do outside of it.

Guidance from Attorney General James Uthmeier said the court decision does not prevent law enforcement from continuing to police those who exhibit firearms in a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner in public.

Jeff Davis trains civilians and law enforcement for the NRA. 8 On Your Side asked Davis about people carrying long guns in public.

“I would then say, ‘What is the practicality of what are you, what are you going to carry that thing for?'” Davis said.

Davis said open or concealed carry will now be a personal choice, though he anticipates people in Pinellas County, who he said are sensitive to tourism, seniors, and young people, will not carry publicly.

“If you see a firearm and it’s in a holster, don’t overreact, because that’s now the way you’ll see things,” Davis said. “For the carrier, the guidance is safety. Keep it pointed in a safe direction. Don’t take it out unless you really necessarily have to use it. Make sure you have a holster that is safe.”

Davis said while it may be a bit of a new world seeing people open carry, civic duties are still in place.

There are still some questions as to how this will be enforced, especially when it comes to businesses that don’t allow guns inside. The attorney general’s office said a person can be charged with armed trespassing for not leaving a business when asked.