State of Florida agrees in court settlement with Gun Owners of America, Open Carry is unequivocally protected by the Second Amendment

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 11, 2025 

Fort Pierce, FL – Yesterday afternoon in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, the St. Lucie County State Attorney’s Office and the Sheriff of St. Lucie County, representing the State of Florida, reached a settlement with Gun Owners Foundation and Gun Owners of America in GOA v. Del Toro. The lawsuit, filed in August 2024, challenged Florida’s open carry ban. 

Under the settlement, Defendants agreed not to enforce Florida’s ban on open carry, and acknowledged that law enforcement agencies must align their practices with the right to keep and bear arms protected by the Second Amendment. GOA maintained, and Defendants agreed, that the open carry of firearms is “presumptively protected by the plain text of the Second Amendment” and that § 790.053(1) is incompatible with the Second Amendment.  

John Velleco, Executive Vice President of Gun Owners of Foundation, stated: 

“Gun Owners of America has fought for open carry in Florida for years, forcing the issue into the political spotlight where it could no longer be ignored. Florida claimed to be the freest state in the nation—yet it banned something as basic as open carry. That’s exactly why GOA takes these fights and why we win them. We never give up. Our motto is simple: No Compromise.” 

Luis Valdes, Florida State Director of Gun Owners of America, stated: 

“This is a major victory for Florida’s gun owners. After decades under Janet Reno’s 1987 open-carry ban, Floridians can finally exercise their Second Amendment rights without fear that a briefly exposed firearm could lead to criminal charges. This settlement moves Florida closer to earning its ‘Gunshine State’ reputation.” 

Alisabet Valdes, National Chair of Fuerza 2A, stated: 

“GOA’s open-carry win is a major step forward for Florida’s Hispanic gun owners, many of whom feared harassment or being stereotyped if a legally owned firearm was exposed. This victory also benefits women, who often struggle to conceal a firearm, allowing them to defend themselves without fear of arrest if their firearm becomes visible.” 

GOA spokesmen are available for interviews. Gun Owners of America is a nonprofit grassroots lobbying organization representing over two million members and activists. For more information, visit GOA’s Press Center. 

-GOA-