LAKELAND, Fla. — Beginning Thursday, Florida residents will be able to openly carry firearms after the First District Court of Appeal struck down the state’s open-carry ban last week.

What You Need To Know • Florida’s open-carry law takes effect Thursday after a state appeals court struck down the longtime ban • Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and gun shop owner Al Delatorre are preparing residents, stressing both restrictions and responsibilities under the new law • Firearms remain restricted in certain places such as courthouses, government buildings and schools

Since the ruling, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and local gun shop owner Al Delatorre have been preparing residents for the change. Delatorre, who has operated Guns Galore in Lakeland for 43 years, said it will be the fir

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