Florida Democrat Blasts Open Carry Ruling As ‘Dangerous’ While 45 States Allow It– www.usacarry.com
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TALLAHASSEE, FL — Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried issued a statement this week strongly opposing the First District Court of Appeals ruling that declared Florida’s ban on open carry unconstitutional. Fried argued the decision “paves the way for open carry in the State of Florida” and claimed it will make Floridians less safe.
Fried referenced rising gun violence nationwide, warning that allowing open carry could embolden criminals and cause public confusion. She urged law enforcement to hold off on recognizing the ruling until a final legal judgment is issued. “This is a moment in history when we need to promote safer environments, not embolden those who could abuse the ruling’s intent to sow seeds of terror,” Fried said.
But the argument raises an important question: why would legally allowing open carry embolden criminals? By definition, criminals do not follow the law. Whether open carry is legal or not has little bearing on those already willing to break gun laws. Instead, restrictions primarily affect law-abiding citizens, leaving them with fewer options for exercising their rights.
Florida already allows concealed carry without a permit, so there is no reason to treat open carry any differently. The vast majority of states that permit open carry have not experienced the dire consequences opponents often predict. Instead, these laws simply recognize the rights of responsible citizens and give them the choice of how they carry.
