Steve here. I wanted to hop on the forum real quick and talk about this whole new open carry law that just went into effect in Florida. As of September 26th, folks are allowed to open carry, which is something a lot of people have been pushing for, but let me tell you, it ain’t as wide-open as it sounds.

See, I live and work right here in Gulfport, and I already ran into the fine print today. The state might say open carry is a go, but city rules and federal laws still put up some big “hold up, not here” signs. And Gulfport is definitely one of those places where you better pay attention or you’ll be walking right into trouble without realizing it.

So here’s the deal: the City of Gulfport owns and runs the rec center. That building, if you’ve been around, is more than just a gym and a hangout spot. They’ve got preschool and school programs running out of the back. And once you bring a school into the equation, that flips everything upside down. Federal law says you can’t have a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school. It don’t matter if the state says “open carry’s cool,” that school zone restriction still applies.

So if you were thinking about strolling into the Gulfport rec with your gun hanging on your hip, don’t. They’ll stop you at the door, tell you to take it back to your car, and if you act like you don’t want to listen? They’ll call the police. And trust me, the cops are gonna back the city and the school law on that one every single time.

Now, some folks are confused, because the new law made it sound like open carry was finally wide open in Florida. But laws always come with layers. The state can pass a law, but federal laws and city ordinances still matter. That’s what makes this whole thing tricky. It ain’t like Texas, where you can just walk into most places with your gun showing. Florida’s rollout has a lot of “but not here” signs. Schools, government buildings, and city facilities that double as schools—like the Gulfport rec—are off limits.

I know some people are gonna argue, “Well, it’s my right to carry.” And yeah, technically the law opened that door, but rights come with restrictions. You might have the right to free speech, but you can’t just walk into a courtroom yelling and cussing out the judge. Same deal here. You might have the right to open carry, but if you’re near a school, that right stops cold.

The part that gets me is how many people don’t realize this. I already saw one guy this morning heated because they told him he couldn’t bring his gun into the rec. He’s like, “But it’s the law now!” And the staff had to explain, “Yeah, but this is still a school zone.” It’s gonna be a mess for the first few weeks until people get the hang of it.

Here’s the bigger picture: this law is probably gonna make life harder for everyday folks just trying to follow the rules. People who know the law inside and out? They’ll be fine. But regular people who just heard “Florida passed open carry” are gonna be walking into places thinking it’s okay, and then boom—they’re breaking the law without even meaning to. And once you’re dealing with a school zone violation, that ain’t no small slap on the wrist.

I’m not here to argue whether the law is good or bad. Some people are celebrating because they think it gives them more protection, and others are nervous because they don’t want to see guns out in public all the time. I just want folks to be informed. If you live in Gulfport like me, or anywhere near schools, rec centers, or city buildings that double as schools, you better think twice before you strap that piece to your hip and walk out the door.

Best advice? Before you carry, know the rules. Don’t just take somebody’s word on Facebook. Look up the law. Call your city hall. If you’re in doubt, leave the gun at home or keep it concealed where it’s already been legal under the permitless carry rules. Open carry might sound simple, but in practice, it’s got enough loopholes to trip you up quick.

Anyway, just wanted to share this because I already saw confusion first-hand, and I’d hate to see any of my neighbors get themselves in trouble thinking the law says one thing when the fine print says another. Florida might’ve opened the door to open carry, but Gulfport’s rec center—and any place tied to a school—is still a no-go zone. Keep that in mind, stay safe, and don’t give the cops any extra reason to get involved.

– Steve

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