Is Publix required by law to allow open carry in stores?

There is no new Florida law that requires companies to permit the open carry of firearms in stores.

Supermarket chain Publix recently announced it would allow open carry in its stores to follow “all federal, state and local laws.”

The existing Florida law banning open carry unless in self defense –– State Statute 790.053 –– was deemed unconstitutional in September. Therefore, the law is now unenforceable and gives some companies like Publix the choice to allow open carry. 

However, a new law hasn’t taken its place that explicitly permits it or forces companies to allow open carry, meaning Publix would have been within its rights to continue banning the practice. 

Other supermarket chains, including Costco, Target and Walmart, upheld policies that prohibit open carry in their stores.