Florida’s Open-Carry Era: Why Training Matters More Than Ever
When Florida first passed permitless carry in 2023, our team at Weapon Brand noticed an immediate shift — people who had never considered owning or carrying a firearm suddenly wanted training. Now, with Florida officially recognizing open carry, that interest has only grown.
We’re seeing more people than ever signing up for our Firearm Safety and Fundamentals classes — and even though they don’t have to get their concealed carry license anymore, they still are. Why? Because they realize that when more people are carrying (openly or not), being untrained is the real danger.
We’ve had people tell us, “I never thought I’d own a gun,” or “I never thought I’d carry one.” But with how politically charged things are and how loosely regulated firearms have become, many now feel a personal responsibility to learn how to protect themselves and their families.
At Weapon Brand, we’re not pro-gun or anti-gun — we’re pro-training. If you own a firearm, you must know how to use it safely and confidently. Even our instructors, many with decades of experience, still say they need more training. That’s because firearms skills are perishable — if you don’t train regularly, you lose your edge.
Taking a concealed carry class or spending time at the range is a great start, but it’s not enough. Real confidence comes from consistent, ongoing training — classroom instruction, range time, and real-world scenario practice.
The Reality: Weapon Retention Is Everything
Here’s something most people don’t realize: most of our instructors don’t carry a firearm in their day-to-day lives. Why? Because they’re trained to take yours.
You might laugh when we say that, but it’s not funny — it’s reality. If a criminal is training every day to be a criminal, why aren’t you training every day to defend yourself, your family, or your employees?
Weapon retention is arguably the most important class you can take as a firearm owner. If you’re not going to learn how to retain your weapon under pressure, you’re setting yourself up for danger.
We tell students all the time — if you’re not trained in retention, don’t even bother carrying. Because if you’re not prepared, there’s a real chance your own firearm could be used against you. In fact, most police officers who are shot in the line of duty are shot with their own gun. And one of the largest police departments in the country has a success rate of only 27% when firing within nine feet of a target. Think about that — professionals with constant access to firearms, and still only a one-in-four accuracy rate.
That’s why we stress it again and again: if you’re not training and training and training, you’re at risk.
Where You Can’t Open Carry in Florida (Yet)
Even though Florida’s open-carry restrictions were loosened, there are still several places where you cannot carry a firearm, open or concealed. These restrictions are in place to keep certain public spaces safe — and breaking them can result in serious legal trouble.
Restricted Location and Notes / Legal Basis :
Courthouses / Courtrooms: Firearms are prohibited in all judicial buildings.
Police Stations, Jails, Detention Centers: Completely off-limits for civilian carry.
Schools & School Grounds: Federal and state laws prohibit firearms near K–12 campuses.
Polling Places / Election Sites: Carrying is illegal during active voting hours.
Government Buildings / Meetings: Many municipal buildings and meetings remain no-carry zones.
Airports (Inside Terminals / Sterile Areas): You cannot carry openly in secure zones.
Private Property with “No Guns” Posted: Business owners have the right to refuse armed entry.
Hospitals, Bars, Campuses, Theme Parks: Many are private or restricted environments where carry is not allowed.
Always verify local ordinances before carrying. Florida’s laws are still evolving, and local law enforcement agencies may interpret the new open-carry permissions differently. When in doubt — err on the side of caution.
A Personal Story: Why Responsibility Matters
Just last week, we were traveling back to Florida from out of state and checking a firearm onto the plane — doing everything by the book. But the gate attendant didn’t seem to know the rules for checking firearms. She actually asked if we just wanted to take it on with us.
She never checked to see if it was unloaded or if there was ammo in the bag. When TSA was called over, they told us we could just check it in our carry-on — again, without confirming anything. In reality, the firearm should have been locked in a checked bag, declared properly, and picked up at the designated security office at the destination airport.
It was a wild reminder that sometimes the people enforcing the rules don’t even know them. If we’d unknowingly followed their bad advice and ended up with that firearm on the plane, we would’ve been the ones held responsible.
That’s the takeaway: as a firearm owner, it’s up to you to know the laws, your rights, and your responsibilities. You can’t assume others do.
Community Safety and Training
Weapon Brand is proud to partner with the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA) to host free community education events across Florida. These classes cover everything from:
Home defense and threat identification
Women’s personal safety and awareness
De-escalation and situational awareness
Securing your home and business
Legal and emotional aftermath of self-defense incidents
We’re all about helping people make informed, responsible choices — not just for themselves, but for their communities.
And for those ready to go further, be on the lookout for our new training packages, which combine:
Firearm Safety and Fundamentals
Weapon Retention
Drawing and Firing from Concealment
Should I Shoot? – a powerful course on when it’s legal and ethical to defend yourself and what happens afterward
We offer group and private one-on-one firearm training in Florida, New York, and Ohio.
No politics. No judgment. Just training.
Be Your OWN Weapon.
