St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick issued a formal statement Friday on Florida’s open-carry ruling, saying that openly carrying firearms will no longer be considered unlawful “in most circumstances.”
Hardwick pointed to a September 10 decision by the First District Court of Appeal that struck down Florida’s general ban on openly carrying firearms.
The court declared the restriction unconstitutional.
“Florida Attorney General Uthmeier supports the decision and is not expected to appeal,” he said. “Essentially, this decision will become final once the deadline for filing an appeal expires, which will be in the next 30 days.”
The sheriff said deputies have already been briefed.
“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 wrote.
At the same time, restrictions remain in place.
Hardwick noted that “other statutory restrictions concerning improper exhibition of a firearm and prohibiting the possession of firearms in certain locations remain in effect, including courthouses, other government buildings, and schools.”
Private business owners “still have the right to prohibit firearms on their property,” he added.
Hardwick framed the policy shift in terms of his office’s broader mission.
“As a combat military veteran and the Sheriff of St. Johns County, I support the Constitution and our Second Amendment,” he wrote. “Your SJSO Deputies are well trained and will continue to serve with excellence and provide first-class customer service to our citizens and visitors as we transition to an open-carry state along with 46 other states that currently allow open carry in some form.”
Hardwick said urged patience as the new policy is implemented.
“Please be patient and understanding of residents and visitors who may not understand or have knowledge of this court decision, as we must help educate and protect constitutional rights during a time that may be confusing for some,” he wrote.
