FLORIDA, USA — Florida’s 1st District Court of Appeals struck down the state’s ban on openly carrying firearms Wednesday, ruling the law unconstitutional across Florida.

The ruling means law enforcement can no longer arrest or prosecute law-abiding adults for openly carrying guns in public.

Governor Ron DeSantis applauded the decision, calling it “a big win for the Second Amendment rights of Floridians.” DeSantis has pushed lawmakers to pass legislation legalizing open carry.

Luis Valdes is the Florida state director for Gun Owners of America. He spoke with First Coast News hailing  the ruling as “a tremendous victory for gun owners all across the state.”

Valdes called open carry “part of our civil rights,” condemning arrests made when someone’s firearm accidentally becomes visible. 

Florida is one of four states to not allow open carry.

“What makes Florida any different?” he added. “There is no difference. The right to keep and bear arms is the right to keep and bear arms.”

However, opposition came from state Representative Angie Nixon, who voiced strong public safety concerns.

“Americans are inundated with gun violence, tragedy after tragedy,” Nixon said. “Why would we pass legislation or allow something like this when it’s going to cause some people to be unsafe and feel unsafe?”

Nixon says she’s considering filing legislation to take on the issue directly.

Attorney General James Uthmeier posted on X that his office fully supports the court’s ruling. However, the ruling isn’t final. The AG could still ask the courts to reconsider or appeal to the State Supreme Court.