In Florida, a state known for its conservative leanings and a reputation as a haven for gun rights, one might expect the right to openly carry firearms to be firmly entrenched in law. However, Florida’s Republican Attorney General, Ashley Moody, has notably sidestepped a challenge to the state’s longstanding ban on open carry, leaving many gun rights activists wondering whether the state’s GOP leadership is truly as “pro-gun” as they claim to be.
Gun Owners of America (GOA) filed a lawsuit in early August on behalf of a Palm Beach County resident, arguing that Florida’s ban on open carry is a “blatant infringement” of Second Amendment rights. Despite the case making headlines, the state’s response—or lack thereof—has been puzzling. There was no initial defense mounted, nearly leading to a default judgment in favor of GOA. It’s left many gun rights advocates questioning why Moody, an elected Republican official, hasn’t jumped in to defend what is widely considered a key conservative issue: the right to bear arms.
The lawsuit arose in the wake of a recent legislative session that saw Florida eliminate permit requirements for carrying concealed weapons. At that time, gun rights activists hoped the legislature would also repeal the open carry ban, a move that Governor Ron DeSantis publicly said he was open to considering. But opposition from top Republican leaders, including outgoing Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, stymied any momentum. Passidomo, echoing the concerns of Florida’s sheriffs, voiced her opposition, and the issue quietly died.
Luis Valdes, GOA’s state director, minced no words, blasting the GOP supermajority for what he described as a failure to uphold the Second Amendment. “Florida is the only conservative state in the country to ban open carry,” he pointed out, lamenting that Republicans “claim to be pro-gun” while blocking open carry legislation. And it’s not just Valdes who’s disappointed; many Floridians who care about their Second Amendment rights are left wondering why their representatives are so reluctant to stand up for gun owners.
So, what’s really going on here? Why are Florida Republicans, who boast about their commitment to constitutional rights, dragging their feet on this issue? The answer isn’t as straightforward as it seems.
First, let’s talk politics. Republicans in Florida hold a supermajority in the Legislature, and they have the numbers to pass open carry legislation if they want to. But it’s clear that political calculations are at play. Kathleen Passidomo, who played a key role in blocking open carry, didn’t do so in a vacuum. She cited opposition from Florida’s sheriffs, who are major players in the state’s law enforcement community and wield significant influence. The sheriffs have expressed concerns that open carry could lead to increased public safety risks, and their voices matter—particularly in an election year where law and order are top-of-mind for many voters.
But should the concerns of law enforcement outweigh the constitutional rights of Floridians? That’s the heart of the issue. Open carry is legal in dozens of states across the country, and many argue that it’s a common-sense extension of the right to bear arms. If Florida trusts its citizens to carry concealed weapons without a permit, why should openly carrying a firearm be any different?
This brings us to the second reason Republicans may be reluctant to embrace open carry: the optics. Florida is a purple state, with a growing number of moderate and swing voters. While gun rights are a core issue for the conservative base, there’s a perception among some Republicans that passing open carry could alienate these moderate voters, particularly suburban women who are often more concerned about safety than gun rights. The GOP may be playing it safe, hoping to maintain their hold on these key voting blocs by avoiding legislation that could spark backlash.
But here’s the problem: By caving on open carry, Florida Republicans are risking something far more dangerous—the erosion of trust from their own base. Many of the most dedicated gun rights supporters feel betrayed. If Republicans can’t be trusted to stand firm on something as fundamental as the Second Amendment, what else are they willing to compromise on? The GOP’s reluctance to fight for open carry is making their pro-gun facade look more and more like political theater.
The consequences of this could be significant. While Florida’s gun rights community has traditionally backed Republican candidates, the failure to pass open carry legislation could drive some of these voters away. It’s worth noting that organizations like Gun Owners of America are already sounding the alarm, calling out the GOP supermajority for their failure to act. If Florida’s Republican leaders don’t course-correct, they could find themselves facing a primary revolt from candidates who are more in tune with the concerns of their base.
The bottom line is this: Florida Republicans need to stop playing political games and pass legislation allowing for open carry. The Second Amendment is not a partisan issue—it’s a constitutional right. By refusing to defend it, the GOP is sending the message that they’re more interested in appeasing law enforcement and chasing suburban voters than standing up for the principles they claim to represent.
Governor DeSantis, who has cultivated an image as a staunch defender of individual freedoms, has the opportunity to lead on this issue. But thus far, he has failed to push the legislature to act. If DeSantis truly believes in the Second Amendment, as he claims, he needs to use his political capital to ensure that open carry becomes a reality in Florida. Anything less is a betrayal of the gun rights community that helped propel him to power.
At the end of the day, Florida Republicans must decide what kind of party they want to be. Do they stand for individual liberty, or are they willing to compromise those principles when it’s politically expedient? The fight over open carry is about more than just gun rights—it’s about whether the GOP is willing to stand up for its own values. If they don’t, they may find that their base is no longer willing to stand up for them.
Written By: Stephen Despin Jr. | Founder/Contributor
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