Table of Contents
- Publix’s New Open Carry Policy Explained
- The Court Ruling That Changed Everything
- Mixed Reactions from Shoppers
- Where Open Carry Is Still Prohibited in Florida
- How Other Grocery Chains Are Responding
- What This Means for Florida Shoppers
- Sources
Publix’s New Open Carry Policy Explained
In a move that’s stirring debate across the Sunshine State, Publix—the largest supermarket chain in Florida—has confirmed it will allow customers to openly carry firearms in its stores. The company emphasized that this decision isn’t a political stance but a matter of compliance with updated state law.
“As of Sept. 25, 2025, Florida law allows the open carry of firearms,” Publix said in a statement. “Publix follows all federal, state and local laws.” The Publix open carry policy applies only to individuals legally permitted to own or purchase a firearm under Florida statutes.
While the company respects customers’ rights, it also stressed safety: “In any instance where a customer creates a threatening, erratic or dangerous shopping experience, whether they are openly carrying a firearm or not, we will engage local law enforcement to protect our customers and associates.”
The Court Ruling That Changed Everything
The shift stems from a landmark ruling by Florida’s First District Court of Appeal on September 10, 2025, which declared the state’s 1987 ban on open carry unconstitutional. The case originated in 2022 when a man livestreamed himself walking through downtown Pensacola with a holstered pistol and a copy of the U.S. Constitution—intentionally challenging the decades-old law.
Following the decision, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier affirmed that open carry is now “the law of the state,” though he clarified that private businesses retain the right to prohibit firearms on their premises.
Mixed Reactions from Shoppers
At a busy Publix in Miami Beach, reactions were split. Beatrice Ponce, 58, expressed concern: “I agree with people having the right to bear arms, but I do not agree to go into a facility like Publix where there are kids, you’re shopping and there’s also alcohol.”
Others, like retired professor Rafael Fornes, 69, welcomed the change: “I feel safer. It’s not the guns—it’s the people who carry them.”
Where Open Carry Is Still Prohibited in Florida
Even with the new law, Florida maintains several exceptions. Open carry remains illegal in:
- Law enforcement facilities
- Courthouses
- Polling places
- Schools
- Businesses that serve alcohol for on-site consumption
How Other Grocery Chains Are Responding
Not all retailers are following Publix’s lead. Southeastern Grocers, which operates Winn-Dixie, explicitly stated: “As a private business, our policy remains unchanged: We do not permit open carry of firearms inside our stores.”
Walmart, while not commenting directly on the new law, maintains a longstanding policy (updated in 2019) requesting that customers refrain from openly carrying firearms in its stores—even in states where it’s legal.
What This Means for Florida Shoppers
For the average shopper, the Publix open carry policy means you may now see legally armed customers in the cereal aisle or at the deli counter. While Publix isn’t endorsing or promoting firearm visibility, it’s choosing not to override state law—unlike some competitors.
Experts advise customers to remain calm and report any concerning behavior to store staff or law enforcement—not to confront individuals directly.
