Florida Nikki Freed: Democrats and Open Carry 2A Failure

While Florida gun owners are celebrating the recent court ruling overturning the state’s ban on open carry of firearms, anti-gun Democrats in the Sunshine State are much less enthused. In fact, some are downright angry over the situation.

On September 10, Florida’s First District Court of Appeals ruled that the open carry ban violates citizens’ Second Amendment rights, reversing the conviction of the central figure in the case. Then, on September 15, Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier sent a letter to law enforcement agencies and prosecutors stating that “no Florida court will any longer be empowered to convict a defendant” under the ban, and that his office will no longer defend such prosecutions. 

Now, anti-gun lawmakers in the state, particularly those of the Democrat persuasion, are speaking out against the ruling, promising certain tragedy—despite the fact that 47 other states already allow open carry of firearms.

One of the most vocal critics is Florida Democrat Party Chair Nikki Fried. In a news release distributed by the party, which handily appeared on the same pages as an opportunity to donate to the party, Fried bashed the court’s decision.

 “I have a long history advocating for the rights afforded in the Second Amendment and have previously petitioned Courts to uphold those rights for all citizens,” Fried said. “However, I strongly believe that the First District Court of Appeals has erred in its recent opinion, which paves the way for open carry in the State of Florida.”

Of course, the phrase, “I support the Second Amendment, but … has been uttered by anti-gun politicians, bureaucrats and activists ever since they decided that truth wasn’t important to the gun control debate. But I digress.