LAKELAND, Fla. — Beginning Thursday, Florida residents will be able to openly carry firearms after the First District Court of Appeal struck down the state’s open-carry ban last week.
Since the ruling, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and local gun shop owner Al Delatorre have been preparing residents for the change. Delatorre, who has operated Guns Galore in Lakeland for 43 years, said it will be the first time his business operates under an open-carry law.
“I kind of have mixed feelings about that,” Delatorre said. “I think it may be more of a privilege than a right.”
He said he understands people view open carry as a deterrent to crime, but worries some may not realize the responsibility that comes with the freedom.
“Not only do you have freedoms, but on top of freedom, you have responsibilities, and some people have forgotten that,” he said.
Like Delatorre, Judd says he’s an advocate for concealed carry.
“You lose the tactical advantage should you need the firearm,” Judd said. “Some people think, ‘Well, if I’m carrying a firearm, I’ll announce my presence and my intentions.’ You don’t scare away real bad guys by carrying a firearm in a holster. You don’t scare real bad guys by slinging an AR-15 over your shoulder.”
Judd is also reminding residents that firearms will still be prohibited in certain places, including courthouses, government buildings and schools. Private businesses can also ban them from their property.
Delatorre has been passing that message along to customers but added that anyone is welcome in his store, regardless of how they choose to carry.
Alexis Jones
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