Florida now allows open carry and permitless carry, joining its long-standing stand your ground law. The shift follows a September 2025 appellate ruling that struck down the state’s open carry ban. Attorney General James Uthmeier responded by directing law enforcement not to arrest anyone for openly displaying a handgun.
Twenty years have passed since Florida first adopted stand your ground. Supporters once argued it would protect law-abiding citizens and stop violent acts, but data shows otherwise. Research from the RAND Corp. found states with stand your ground laws saw homicide rates rise by 8% to 11%. In Florida, firearm homicides increased by 31.6% after the law passed in 2005. There is no credible evidence the law prevents crime.
Stand your ground removes the duty to retreat and allows people to use lethal force anywhere they can legally be, as long as they believe it’s necessary. While that expansion appears reasonable on paper, in practice it has blurred the line between self-defense and aggression by granting broad legal immunity to those who claim fear.
Race also plays a role. Studies show homicides are far more likely to be ruled justified when a white shooter kills a Black victim. This pattern surfaced in several high-profile cases, including the deaths of Trayvon Martin, Jordan Davis, Renisha McBride and the shooting of Ralph Yarl.
With open carry now legal and no permit or training required under the state’s 2023 permitless carry law, firearms are more visible than ever. The combination, experts say, creates an environment where misunderstandings can quickly become deadly.
Nationally, stand your ground laws exist in 38 states, and 29 states allow permitless carry. Former President Donald Trump has pushed for nationwide concealed-carry reciprocity, which would let gun owners carry under the laws of their home state regardless of where they travel. That would allow residents of states like Florida to claim stand your ground protections across the country.
As Florida becomes the model for expanded gun rights, critics warn the state is also showcasing increased risks: more guns, more shootings and more deaths labeled as justified. The question now is whether other states will follow its path.
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