Gun Owners of America Files Major Concealed Carry Lawsuit

 

On August 6, 2024, Gun Owners of America (GOA) and the Gun Owners Foundation filed a federal lawsuit in South Florida, challenging the state’s prohibition on the open carry of firearms. Florida is currently one of the few states, alongside New York, Illinois, and California, where open carry remains completely banned.

Governor Ron DeSantis has previously expressed support for signing an open carry bill into law. However, Republican leaders in the state legislature have indicated that they are not interested in advancing open carry legislation. This stance is notable given the significant Republican majority in both the State House (84-36) and the State Senate (28-12).

Erich Pratt, GOA’s Senior Vice President, issued a statement criticizing Florida lawmakers for their inaction on this issue. He pointed out that Florida remains aligned with states like New York, Illinois, and California in its prohibition of open carry. Pratt emphasized that GOA felt compelled to take legal action after an open carry bill backed by GOA was blocked by Republican leadership during the first week of the 2024 legislative session. He argued that the ban lacks historical justification and is likely to be deemed unconstitutional under the Supreme Court’s Bruen precedent.

Despite the solid Republican control of the state government, Florida is ranked 22nd in Guns & Ammo magazine’s rankings of the best states for gun owners, reflecting what some see as a need for further action on gun rights. The lawsuit filed by GOA is seen as a key effort by pro-gun advocates to pressure state lawmakers into passing more comprehensive gun rights legislation.

The full lawsuit is available for review.