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Florida is halting enforcement of state open carry ban after judicial ruling

FILE - In this Jan. 26, 2015, file photo, Scott Smith, a supporter of open carry gun laws, wears a pistol as he prepares for a rally in support of open carry gun laws at the Capitol, in Austin, Texas.  (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)
Eric Gay
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AP
FILE - In this Jan. 26, 2015, file photo, Scott Smith, a supporter of open carry gun laws, wears a pistol as he prepares for a rally in support of open carry gun laws at the Capitol, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

Florida is no longer enforcing its laws that prohibit the open curry of firearms.

State Attorney General James Uthmeier made the announcement in a letter on Monday.

The move comes after Florida’s First District Court of Appeals released a decision last week, saying it violates the Second Amendment to prevent law abiding citizens from openly carrying firearms in public.

Uthmeier has been a supporter of reducing firearm restrictions. He previously spoke about allowing those younger than 21 own guns during an appearance on the conservative podcast the Dana Show.

“I do believe that there are second amendment infirmities with Florida law when it comes to restricting the right to keep and bear arms, which is very clearly a right enumerated in our Constitution, any government regulation really has to be consistent with founding era regulation,” he said.

The ruling allows parts of the law that prohibits people from brandishing weapons in a threatening or careless way and gives businesses or property owners the ability to control whether weapons are allowed on their private property.

Uthmeier wrote those types of restrictions will still be enforced.

Tristan Wood is a senior producer and host with WFSU Public Media. A South Florida native and University of Florida graduate, he focuses on state government in the Sunshine State and local panhandle political happenings.