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.

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