Florida Carry Sues Miami Beach Police

Open carry is generally not legal in Florida. However, there are exceptions such as when one is fishing or hunting. Because of this, groups like Florida Carry organize "fishing trips" where their members legally open carry. The Miami Beach Police didn't think much of this and disrupted, assaulted, and detained members of Florida Carry at one such event as shown in the video below.




As a result, the Miami Beach Police Department is now being sued by Florida Carry and the individuals illegally detained for violation of their civil rights under color of law.

From Florida Carry:

Miami Beach, FL - A lawsuit for deprivation of civil rights under color of law and violations of Florida firearms and fishing laws has been filed today against the City of Miami Beach and officers of its police department over an incident where the officers assaulted, battered, and detained law-abiding fishermen at a Florida Carry fishing meetup on the South Pointe Fishing Pier on June 24th 2018. The incident was captured on video.

Dubbed the "South Pointe Six", six Florida Carry members and supporters were held by police for well over two hours without cause, while the police officers went on a fishing expedition of the own in an illegal attempt to find something... anything... the officers could use in order to charge the "South Pointe Six" with a crime before finally failing and releasing them.

Even after eventually releasing Florida Carry's members, the Police Department forced the premature end of our First Amendment protected gathering by closing the public fishing pier until all known Florida Carry members and supporters left the area.

"Florida Carry will not allow our members to be abused, injured, held without cause, and have their civil rights violated without the strongest possible response to prevent these types of attacks on the good, law-abiding, citizens of our Great State." Said Florida Carry Executive Director, Sean Caranna.

"Most police officers and deputies that we encounter are outstanding professionals who have an incredibly tough job to do, we respect that honor that. However, we've seen these types of abuses happen far too many times in cities and counties who do not respect the Right to Bear Arms. Every City and County in Florida should already know that proper training about the legal possession and carry of firearms is necessary. These types of abuses will not be tolerated - IT ENDS HERE."

The plaintiffs are represented by Florida Carry General Counsel Eric Friday.

For Those In Florida

Last year, Florida Carry got some grief from Marion Hammer and the NRA due to their stance on some bills in the Florida legislature. Notwithstanding that - and showing that they are united in their support of gun rights - they have passed on the following alert from the NRA and Marion Hammer. I think it shows class on their part.

The alert concerns a move by the anti-gun forces to diminish gun rights in Florida through putting constitutional amendments on the ballot. One need only looks at the moves by Bloomberg and Everytown to force so-called universal background checks through referenda. They succeeded in Washington and Nevada but failed in Maine.

From Florida Carry:

ALERT: Anti-gun CRC Members Want Gun Bans in the Florida Constitution DATE: March 19, 2018 TO:      USF & NRA Member and Friends FROM: Marion P. Hammer             USF Executive Director             NRA Past President ACTION NEEDED NOW Some of the members of the Florida Constitution Revision Commission (CRC) are very anti-gun and they are proposing and pushing gun ban and gun control amendments to put in the Florida Constitution. Commissioners will be voting on these amendment soon. Links to these amendments are listed at the bottom. Among these amendments are: *An "assault weapons" ban which bans the distribution, sale, transfer, and possession of so-called assault weapons and any detachable magazine that has a capacity of more than 9 rounds.  (Makes possession illegal with no compensation provided for those already possessed that must be surrendered)  *A ban on any semi-automatic rifle that is able to accept a detachable magazine or has a fixed magazine capable of holding more than10 rounds. (that means almost all semi-automatic rifles) *A ban on the sale and transfer of "assault weapons" and defines "transfer" as the conveyance "from a person or entity to another person or entity WITHOUT any conveyance of money or other valuable consideration."  (Note: to "convey" between persons without compensation could mean the simple act of handing the firearm to another person while hunting, on the range, or anywhere) *A 10 day waiting period (excluding weekends and legal holidays) on all firearms to facilitate a background check. *A ban on the purchase of any firearm by a person under 21 years of age.  *A ban on the sale, transfer and possession of bump stocks and other devises, tools, kits, etc.  Please email CRC Commissioners and tell them to OPPOSE gun control amendments! PLEASE DO IT NOW !!! They could be voting on these amendments at anytime IN THE SUBJECT LINE PUT:   VOTE AGAINST GUN CONTROL AMENDMENTS (To send your message to all just Block and Copy All email addresses into the "Send To" box) (Depending on you email program you may need to add commas or semicolons between each email)  jose.armas@flcrc.gov pam.bondi@flcrc.gov lisa.carlton@flcrc.gov timothy.cerio@flcrc.gov hank.coxe@flcrc.gov jose.diaz@flcrc.gov erika.donalds@flcrc.gov don.gaetz@flcrc.gov emery.gainey@flcrc.gov anna.gamez@flcrc.gov brecht.heuchan@flcrc.gov marva.johnson@flcrc.gov darlene.jordan@flcrc.gov arthenia.joyner@flcrc.gov fred.karlinsky@flcrc.gov belinda.keiser@flcrc.gov frank.kruppenbacher@flcrc.gov tom.lee@flcrc.gov gary.lester@flcrc.gov patricia.levesque@flcrc.gov roberto.martinez@flcrc.gov rich.newsome@flcrc.gov chris.nocco@flcrc.gov jeanette.nunez@flcrc.gov jimmy.patronis@flcrc.gov sherry.plymale@flcrc.gov darryl.rouson@flcrc.gov william.schifino@flcrc.gov chris.smith@flcrc.gov bob.solari@flcrc.gov chris.sprowls@flcrc.gov john.stemberger@flcrc.gov pam.stewart@flcrc.gov jacqui.lippisch@flcrc.gov carolyn.timmann@flcrc.gov nicole.washington@flcrc.gov PROPOSED AMENDMENTS: https://www.flcrc.gov/Proposals/Commissioner/2017/0003/Amendment/682026/PDF https://www.flcrc.gov/Proposals/Commissioner/2017/0003/Amendment/545572/PDF https://www.flcrc.gov/Proposals/Commissioner/2017/0003/Amendment/290732/HTML https://www.flcrc.gov/Proposals/Commissioner/2017/0003/Amendment/783324/PDF https://www.flcrc.gov/Proposals/Commissioner/2017/0003/Amendment/117574/PDF https://www.flcrc.gov/Proposals/Commissioner/2017/0003/Amendment/615688/PDF

From Florida Carry - Oppose SB 7026

SB 7026, the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, is up for a third reading by the Florida State Senate. The bill had 151 proposed amendments most of which were either withdrawn or defeated. However, those that were adopted took a bill that was meant to protect students into one with enough nonsensical gun control crap to make it a bill that needs to be defeated.

Miguel at Gunfreezonee.net gives his take on it here.

This alert from Florida Carry outlines the good and the bad. It also includes a call to action on the part of Florida gun owners.

Florida Senate to under 21 voters - "You're not adult enough to have a gun"

Florida Carry ADAMANTLY OPPOSES SB 7026 ------- We strongly urge members and supporters to IMMEDIATELY send an email to ALL SENATORS listed below!

This bill is a classic example of a fundamentally good bill destroyed by countless amendments. Establishes voluntary armed teacher program Establishes mental health care program for schools to recognize symptoms Creates a government commission and a new state-level department to deal with school safety But it also imposes unconstitutional restrictions on Florida citizens. Prohibits purchase of ANY firearm by anyone under 21 years of age. Imposes a 3-day waiting period on the purchase of ANY firearm with some exceptions. Makes possession , sale, etc. of bump-stocks illegal - NO LEGAL DISPOSITION OPTION! OWN ONE - INSTANT FELON! Facilitates confiscation of firearms without due process in Baker Act cases. Florida Carry vehemently opposes any and all "compromises" which REMOVE rights from law-abiding citizens.

CONTACT ALL FLORIDA SENATORS  NOW! Copy/paste the email addresses below into your email client.  Please ensure you include the following subject line -  "Oppose SB 7026 - Public Safety" baxley.dennis@flsenate.gov bean.aaron@flsenate.gov benacquisto.lizbeth@flsenate.gov bradley.rob@flsenate.gov brandes.jeff@flsenate.gov broxson.doug@flsenate.gov flores.anitere@flsenate.gov gainer.george@flsenate.gov galvano.bill@flsenate.gov garcia.rene@flsenate.gov grimsley.denise@flsenate.gov hukill.dorothy@flsenate.gov hutson.travis@flsenate.gov lee.tom@flsenate.gov mayfield.debbie@flsenate.gov negron.joe@flsenate.gov passidomo.kathleen@flsenate.gov perry.keith@flsenate.gov simmons.david@flsenate.gov stargel.kelli@flsenate.gov steube.greg@flsenate.gov young.dana@flsenate.gov book.lauren@flsenate.gov bracy.randolp@flsenate.gov braynon.oscar@flsenate.gov campbell.daphne@flsenate.gov clemens.jeff@flsenate.gov farmer.gary@flsenate.gov gibson.audrey@flsenate.gov montford.bill@flsenate.gov powell.bobby@flsenate.gov rader.kevin@flsenate.gov rodriguez.jose@flsenate.gov rouson.darryl@flsenate.gov simpson.wilton@flsenate.gov stewart.linda@flsenate.gov thurston.perry@flsenate.gov torres.victor@flsenate.gov

For Those In Florida

Florida Carry issued a call late last week for legislators to eliminate gun-free zones, to authorize teachers with a CWFL to be allowed to carry in schools, and to immediately provide funding for a FASTER program.

If you live in Florida, it's time to hit these legislators up.

On Friday, Feb 16th, Florida Carry called for the Florida Legislature to immediately:

1. Pass emergency legislation to eliminate gun-free zones for law-abiding concealed carry licensees;
2. Pass emergency legislation authorizing all teachers in public schools who possess a CWFL to carry their licensed, concealed firearm if they so choose, without repercussion; and
3. Provide immediate funding of one million dollars in grants for county school boards and sheriffs to implement pilot programs of the Faculty/Administrator Safety Training and Emergency Response (FASTER) Program in the State of Florida.

Today, the legislature is under attack.

The candidates who came to us as Florida Gun Owners during the primaries have now become lawmakers.

Those lawmakers are now being pressured in to selling us out.

We have offered effective solutions to the violence of evil people.  Far too many legislators are not listening...

We have called for the legislature to fund FASTER, 

Investigate the non-response of the Broward County Sheriff's office to a clear and present danger, to demand that the FBI account for its failure to investigate multiple reported threats, Recognize that "gun free zones" are not free of criminal violence, and Provide for the lawful defence of FL students.  

Contact your legislators.

larry.ahern@myfloridahouse.gov

ben.albritton@myfloridahouse.gov

thad.altman@myfloridahouse.gov

brian.avila@myfloridahouse.gov

halsey.beshears@myfloridahouse.gov

michael.bileca@myfloridahouse.gov

jim.boyd@myfloridahouse.gov

jason.brodeur@myfloridahouse.gov

daniel.burgess@myfloridahouse.gov

colleen.burton@myfloridahouse.gov

cord.byrd@myfloridahouse.gov

matt.caldwell@myfloridahouse.gov

charles.clemons@myfloridahouse.gov

richard.corcoran@myfloridahouse.gov

robert.cortes@myfloridahouse.gov

travis.cummings@myfloridahouse.gov

jose.diaz@myfloridahouse.gov

manny.diaz@myfloridahouse.gov

byron.donalds@myfloridahouse.gov

brad.drake@myfloridahouse.gov

jay.fant@myfloridahouse.gov

randy.fine@myfloridahouse.gov

jason.fischer@myfloridahouse.gov

heather.fitzenhagen@myfloridahouse.gov

julio.gonzalez@myfloridahouse.gov

tom.goodson@myfloridahouse.gov

erin.grall@myfloridahouse.gov

james.grant@myfloridahouse.gov

michael.grant@myfloridahouse.gov

joe.gruters@myfloridahouse.gov

bill.hager@myfloridahouse.gov

gayle.harrell@myfloridahouse.gov

shawn.harrison@myfloridahouse.gov

blaise.ingoglia@myfloridahouse.gov

clay.ingram@myfloridahouse.gov

sam.killebrew@myfloridahouse.gov

mike.larosa@myfloridahouse.gov

chris.latvala@myfloridahouse.gov

thomas.leek@myfloridahouse.gov

marylynn.magar@myfloridahouse.gov

amber.mariano@myfloridahouse.gov

ralph.massullo@myfloridahouse.gov

stan.mcclain@myfloridahouse.gov

larry.metz@myfloridahouse.gov

mike.miller@myfloridahouse.gov

george.moraitis@myfloridahouse.gov

jeanette.nunez@myfloridahouse.gov

jose.oliva@myfloridahouse.gov

bobby.payne@myfloridahouse.gov

kathleen.peters@myfloridahouse.gov

cary.pigman@myfloridahouse.gov

scott.plakon@myfloridahouse.gov

rene.plasencia@myfloridahouse.gov

mel.ponder@myfloridahouse.gov

elizabeth.porter@myfloridahouse.gov

jake.raburn@myfloridahouse.gov

holly.raschein@myfloridahouse.gov

paul.renner@myfloridahouse.gov

ray.rodrigues@myfloridahouse.gov

bob.rommel@myfloridahouse.gov

rick.roth@myfloridahouse.gov

david.santiago@myfloridahouse.gov

ross.spano@myfloridahouse.gov

chris.sprowls@myfloridahouse.gov

cyndi.stevenson@myfloridahouse.gov

charlie.stone@myfloridahouse.gov

jennifer.sullivan@myfloridahouse.gov

jackie.toledo@myfloridahouse.gov

carlos.trujillo@myfloridahouse.gov

jay.trumbull@myfloridahouse.gov

frank.white@myfloridahouse.gov

jayer.williamson@myfloridahouse.gov

yarborough.clay@myfloridahouse.gov

joseph.abruzzo@myfloridahouse.gov

ramon.alexander@myfloridahouse.gov

bruce.antone@myfloridahouse.gov

robert.asencio@myfloridahouse.gov

loranne.ausley@myfloridahouse.gov

lori.berman@myfloridahouse.gov

kamia.brown@myfloridahouse.gov

john.cortes@myfloridahouse.gov

janet.cruz@myfloridahouse.gov

kimberly.daniels@myfloridahouse.gov

tracie.davis@myfloridahouse.gov

ben.diamond@myfloridahouse.gov

bobby.dubose@myfloridahouse.gov

nicholas.duran@myfloridahouse.gov

katie.edwards@myfloridahouse.gov

joseph.geller@myfloridahouse.gov

margret.good@myfloridahouse.gov

roy.hardemon@myfloridahouse.gov

patrick.henry@myfloridahouse.gov

kristin.jacobs@myfloridahouse.gov

al.jacquet@myfloridahouse.gov

evan.jenne@myfloridahouse.gov

shevrin.jones@myfloridahouse.gov

larry.lee@myfloridahouse.gov

kionne.mcghee@myfloridahouse.gov

amy.mercado@myfloridahouse.gov

jared.moskowitz@myfloridahouse.gov

wengay.newton@myfloridahouse.gov

sharon.pritchett@myfloridahouse.gov

david.richardson@myfloridahouse.gov

barrington.russell@myfloridahouse.gov

sean.shaw@myfloridahouse.gov

david.silvers@myfloridahouse.gov

emily.slosberg@myfloridahouse.gov

carlos.smith@myfloridahouse.gov

cynthia.stafford@myfloridahouse.gov

richard.stark@myfloridahouse.gov

barbara.watson@myfloridahouse.gov

clovis.watson@myfloridahouse.gov

matt.willhite@myfloridahouse.gov

patricia.williams@myfloridahouse.gov

baxley.dennis@flsenate.gov

bean.aaron@flsenate.gov

benacquisto.lizbeth@flsenate.gov

bradley.rob@flsenate.gov

brandes.jeff@flsenate.gov

broxson.doug@flsenate.gov

flores.anitere@flsenate.gov

gainer.george@flsenate.gov

galvano.bill@flsenate.gov

garcia.rene@flsenate.gov

grimsley.denise@flsenate.gov

hukill.dorothy@flsenate.gov

hutson.travis@flsenate.gov

lee.tom@flsenate.gov

mayfield.debbie@flsenate.gov

negron.joe@flsenate.gov

passidomo.kathleen@flsenate.gov

perry.keith@flsenate.gov

simmons.david@flsenate.gov

stargel.kelli@flsenate.gov

steube.greg@flsenate.gov

young.dana@flsenate.gov

book.lauren@flsenate.gov

bracy.randolp@flsenate.gov

braynon.oscar@flsenate.gov

campbell.daphne@flsenate.gov

clemens.jeff@flsenate.gov

farmer.gary@flsenate.gov

gibson.audrey@flsenate.gov

montford.bill@flsenate.gov

powell.bobby@flsenate.gov

rader.kevin@flsenate.gov

rodriguez.jose@flsenate.gov

rouson.darryl@flsenate.gov

simpson.wilton@flsenate.gov

stewart.linda@flsenate.gov

thurston.perry@flsenate.gov

torres.victor@flsenate.gov

It's Time Again For Floridians To Call Their Legislators

The Florida Senate is considering SB 128 which would restore the immunity from prosecution in legitimate self-defense shootings. The original 2005 law had that but the Florida Supreme Court then placed the burden of proof on the defendant and not the prosecution. SB 128 would reverse this.

It should be noted that just because a legislator has a "R" after his or her name does not mean her or she is on our side. Lee Williams, The Gun Writer, illustrates this clearly in his posts about the treachery of Senate President Pro Temp Anitere Flores (R-Miami). She was for gun rights before she was against them. She is responsible for killing the bills that would allow campus carry.

More on the issue in this FloridaCarry alert:

SB 128 - Burden of Proof Full Senate hears bill tomorrow!

Contact Senators Now!!!

Perhaps the single most important bill of the session, SB 128 - Burden of Proof, restores the full effect of legislative immunity back to the lawful user of self-defense where it belongs! When the first claims of immunity were made under the 2005 "stand your ground" bill package, the courts had no judicial procedure in place to deal with the legislative immunity created by the bill. Chapter 776.032 Florida Statutes clearly states - A person who uses or threatens to use force as permitted in s. 776.012, s. 776.013, or s.776.031 is justified in such conduct and is immune from criminal prosecution...    As used in this subsection, the term "criminal prosecution" includes arresting, detaining in custody, and charging or prosecuting the defendant. The Florida Supreme Court created a procedure, but ignored legislative intent. Under current case law - 1. The burden of proof that self-defense was necessary is on the defendant, not the State. 2. Any evidence or statements made by the defendant may be used against him in any ensuing action. This great bill restores full effect to the Legislature's immunity statute, which the Court has improperly neutered. Four amendments were filed today to dilute this bill! Senators Simmons, Thurman, and Rodriguez have together filed four amendments today, all watering down certain provisions of this bill. These amendments must be defeated or the intent of the Legislature will continue to be ignored by the courts. Florida Carry opposes the floor amendments filed today, and enthusiastically supports SB 128 as tendered.

An  important note on contacting your legislators: We cannot stress enough the necessity of telling legislators how you feel they should vote. During the legislative sessions, we issue Action Alerts asking our members and supporters to take a few moments to contact legislators. Email addresses, subject line, and sample body are all included in these alerts to allow cut and paste into your email client. Please take the few seconds it takes to send an email when you receive an Action Alert from Florida Carry. The failure or success of a bill can hinge on that simple act. "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing." - Edmund Burke

Please, take a few moments to ask the members of the Senate to support SB 128. Remember that whether you contact the committee members either by email or by phone, to be courteous and respectful above all else. Be sure to keep your message brief, and thank them for their time. In the subject line put:  SUPPORT SB 128 - Burden of Proof (Copy and Paste All email addresses into the "Send To" box) artiles.frank@flsenate.gov; baxley.dennis@flsenate.gov; bean.aaron@flsenate.gov; benacquisto.lizbeth@flsenate.gov; book.lauren@flsenate.gov; bracy.randolph@flsenate.gov; bradley.rob@flsenate.gov; brandes.jeff@flsenate.gov; broxson.doug@flsenate.gov; clemens.jeff@flsenate.gov; flores.anitere@flsenate.gov; gainer.george@flsenate.gov; galvano.bill@flsenate.gov; garcia.rene@flsenate.gov; grimsley.denise@flsenate.gov; hukill.dorothy@flsenate.gov; hutson.travis@flsenate.gov; latvala.jack@flsenate.gov; lee.tom@flsenate.gov; mayfield.debbie@flsenate.gov; montford.bill@flsenate.gov; negron.joe@flsenate.gov; passidomo.kathleen@flsenate.gov; perry.keith@flsenate.gov; rouson.darryl@flsenate.gov; simmons.david@flsenate.gov; simpson.wilton@flsenate.gov; stargel.kelli@flsenate.gov; steube.greg@flsenate.gov; young.dana@flsenate.gov Sample Body: Dear Senator, In 2005, the Legislature approved immunity for those involved in lawful acts of self-defense. This immunity included protection from the expense and embarrassment of arrest and prosecution unless sufficient evidence existed to show the act was not in lawful self-defense. The Florida Supreme Court neutered legislative intent by not only placing the burden of proof on the defendant, but that testimony given in defense can be used against the defendant in later proceedings. This flies in the face of Fifth Amendment protection against self-incrimination and certainly is in contrast to the long held American legal principle one is innocent until proven guilty. Please support SB 128. Respectfully,

Florida Carry Sues Florida State University Over Firearm Polices

The Florida State Seminoles start each home game with their mascot Osceola racing across to midfield on his horse Renegade and sticking a flaming spear in the ground. In a figurative sense, that is just what gun rights organization Florida Carry did today when it filed suit against FSU, FSU President John Thrasher, and FSU police chief David Perry.

Before John Thrasher became President of Florida State University, he was a successful lawyer, politician, and lobbyist. He served in both the Florida House and Senate and was the chairman of the Florida GOP in 2010. When he was a state senator, Thrasher as noted below in the Florida Carry release told them that they should look to the courts rather than the legislature to correct unconstitutional infringements on the right to keep and bear arms in the Sunshine State. They are making him eat his words.

The lawsuit was filed in Leon County Circuit Court. They are seeking an injunction and declaratory relief stating that the defendants are violating Florida statutes. The complaint can be found here.

Tallahassee, Florida - In 2014 then Senator Thrasher admonished Florida Carry during a legislative committee hearing for supporting a pro-Second Amendment bill that corrected an unconstitutional infringement on the right to bear arms rather than going to the courts and bringing a lawsuit.

Today Florida Carry is taking his advice.

Florida Carry, Inc. joins FSU Graduate Student Bekah Hargrove of Florida Students for Concealed Carry in filing Florida Carry v. Thrasher today seeking an emergency injunction against John Thrasher, now President of Florida State University, the university, and FSU Police Chief David Perry.

In 2013 the Florida First District Court of Appeals made it crystal clear, in the case of Florida Carry v. UNF, that Universities have no authority to regulate the lawful possession of firearms that are properly stored in private vehicles on campus. Despite the fact that FSU, Chief Perry, and President Thrasher are well aware of the law and the binding decision of the court, they have chosen to continue illegally prohibiting the possession of firearms in people's private vehicles. They even go so far as to use their own police force to publicly threaten criminal enforcement of their unlawful regulations.

A recent release published by the FSU Police Department instructs that:
"Weapons and/or firearms are not permitted to be stored in a vehicle on the FSU campus at any time, including game days."(Emphasis in original)

The "FSU Game Day Plan 2015 - New Info" publication goes on to flout the laws of Florida by stating that:

"Weapons are prohibited on the Florida State University Campus at all times including football games. Fan may not store firearms or other weapons in their vehicles parked on campus while attending the game. Possession of a firearm or weapon on the FSU campus constitutes a felony and violators are subject to arrest pursuant to Florida Statute 790.115."

https://police.fsu.edu/sites/default/files/media/doc/FSUGameDayPlan2015NewInfo.pdf

The FSU Student Code of Conduct also attempts to enforce these illegal policies by prohibiting all "On-campus possession or use of firearms..." without an exception for firearm possession in a private vehicle and even "Off-campus... or unauthorized possession or use of firearms..."
https://dos.fsu.edu/srr/_localDocuments/student-conduct-code.pdf

"It has a chilling effect on the right to bear arms when law abiding gun owners are lied to by public officials, especially ones who control their own Police Forces, and are told that they will be breaking a law by the legal possession of their firearms."

Said Sean Caranna, Executive Director of Florida Carry, Inc.

"These publications are a blatant attempt by FSU President Thrasher, and his anti-Second Amendment employees, to enforce illegal gun control with the threat of throwing good people in jail for the lawful exercise of their right to bear arms. We demand that public officials follow the law and will stand for nothing less." 

Florida Carry Is On The Case

Open carry is generally not legal in Florida. However, it is allowed when you are hunting or fishing. The Tampa PD seems not to have gotten that message. George Freeman, as you can read below, was fishing on a city pier when he was detained and then ultimately banned from a city pier while open carrying.

While I personally prefer concealed carry, I do so in a state where unlicensed open carry has been the rule since the early 1920s thanks to a NC Supreme Court ruling. I believe open carry should be legal because, at the very least, concealed carry holders need protection when inadvertently exposing their firearm.

Florida Carry files lawsuit against Tampa for violations of members' rights and Florida law.

Tampa went too far. Our member, George Freeman was NOT breaking any law but he was detained for over an hour, disarmed, searched, and ultimately banned from a Tampa city pier and all city parks for exercising his Second Amendment Right to Bear Arms. The fact that a person is peacefully exercising their right to bear arms is not cause for police officers to attack, detain, search, and trespass a citizen who is a law-abiding gun owner. To insure that this does not happen again, our lawyers are coming fishing with us at the next regularly scheduled Florida Carry Fishing Meetup, on Saturday, July 11th - 10am Ballast Point Pier in Tampa. Information and directions can be found by clicking HERE. We have also filed a lawsuit to defend the right to bear arms, our members, and your rights.  You can read about the case by clicking HERE. We are raising funds to support the lawsuit.  please read more and consider contributing to your fellow gun owner's case at: https://www.gofundme.com/DefendingRKBA

Open Carry Fishing

We often have to go to the courts to demand our rights. You can keep up to date on our court cases at: https://www.floridacarry.org/litigation