St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick believes a new court ruling will likely make St. Johns County an open-carry zone — but with limits.
Speaking on 904 Now Friday morning, Hardwick said that, unlike some of his counterparts, he has not yet issued a formal interpretation of a First District Court of Appeal ruling that deemed Florida’s open carry ban unconstitutional.
He noted there is a 30-day window for legal challenges and policy adjustments as Attorney General James Uthmeier reviews the decision.
But Hardwick said deputies are already preparing for the reality that citizens may openly carry firearms, though with restrictions.
“SJSO Deputies have been informed of the court decision and will no longer consider the open carrying of a firearm unlawful in most circumstances,” he said in a separate statement Friday.
Hardwick stated his unequivocal backing of the second amendment.
“As a combat military veteran and the Sheriff of St. Johns County, I support the Constitution and our Second Amendment,” he said.
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But he did note some potential challenges moving forward.
“We can’t go to the Wild Wild West. We can’t do that, and people are going to freak out because someone is walking down the sidewalk with an AR-15 strapped to their chest,” he said on 904 Now.
The sheriff said that open carry will still be restricted in certain places, including schools and bars.
Private business owners can also lawfully require patrons to leave if they object to firearms being displayed on their property. Refusal can potentially lead to a trespassing charge, Hardwick said.
The sheriff speculated that some gun owners might initially flaunt their weapons under the new allowance, but predicted the novelty will fade.
“People, 99.9% are going to do the right thing,” he said. “We’re gonna do the right thing. We’re gonna have that less than 1% of society that just has to test the laws.”
Several other local agencies, including the Jacksonville and Clay County sheriff’s offices, have also indicated that they will not enforce the open carry ban in light of the new ruling.
