The supermarket chain Publix has announced that shoppers in its Florida stores may now openly carry firearms, triggering glee in some customers and agitation and fear in others.
The policy went into effect on Sept. 25, the same day that a Florida appeals court overturned the state’s ban on open carry.
BREAKING: Court overturns Florida’s ban on open carry — rules such a law violates the 2nd Amendment pic.twitter.com/pgtPKnqD99
— Florida’s Voice (@FLVoiceNews) September 10, 2025
While Publix didn’t issue a blanket statement condoning open carry, it did make it clear that customers may open carry so long as they’re not “creating a threatening, erratic or dangerous shopping experience.”
“Treating Publix customers with dignity and respect is a founding belief at Publix, and we follow federal, state, and local laws,” the company said.
“As is true for many issues which arise every day, Publix leaves it to the discretion of store managers to determine if a customer is creating a threatening, erratic, or dangerous shopping experience—whether they are openly carrying a firearm or not—and engage local law enforcement to protect our customers and associates,” the company added.
The responses to the change in policy have been divided.
“I believe it can cause unnecessary stress and drama,” Publix shopper Scott Gonzalez told CBS News. “It needs to stop being political and it needs to be more about the safety of our community.”
But Erica McKeon, another Publix shopper, disagreed.
“I feel like if you’re going to carry a gun, I’d rather know that it’s on your person than be caught off guard and have it brought out without me even being aware,” she said. “At least I can walk away from the person if I see a gun and I’m not comfortable.”
JUST IN: Publix stores in Florida are now allowing OPEN CARRY of firearms after the 2A practice became legal statewide
“You could see shoppers strapped. Publix confirmed it will allow people to open carry inside its stores.” pic.twitter.com/aVQmerpEx0
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) October 9, 2025
Meanwhile, shopper Dominic Carissimi, who has a concealed carry permit, said that she’s not against the policy but does understand the fear customers like Gonzalez feel.
“As someone that has a concealed carry permit, I’m not that against open carry,” she said. “But in terms of other people that aren’t used to being around guns and things like that, it can cause unnecessary, like, I guess, stress and anxiety.”
Then there’s shopper Gineson Rousseau, who doesn’t like the policy but is willing to keep shopping at Publix for the time being anyway.
“I believe having an open carry kind of makes it less, less appealing, less safe for families and friends or for them to be able to shop comfortably,” he told West Palm Beach station WPBF.
“If I were to see someone with a gun in front of me, I would kind of just be more aware of that person rather than just kind of be in my environment, be in my space, just be able to shop comfortably,” he added.
Anna Erickson, another Publix shopper, is, for her part, all in on it.
“I think that it’s a reflection of what our state has allowed for our government that we have entrusted has said that we can be an open carry state,” she said. “Publix is a part of our lives. Publix is a reflection of Florida and what the people want.”
The red-blooded Floridians of 2025, that is. The state was not always so red and gun-friendly.
Plus, not every retailer is following Publix’s path. Take Winn-Dixie, another supermarket chain.
“As a private business, our policy remains unchanged: We do not permit open carry of firearms inside our stores,” a spokesperson for the chain’s parent company, Southeastern Grocers, told The Ledger.
“Our priority is creating a safe and welcoming shopping experience for all customers and associates,” the spokesperson added.
As for Walmart, it intends to ask shoppers to refrain from open carrying but not outright ban it.
“Driven by our commitment to maintaining a safe environment in our stores and clubs, we ask that customers refrain from openly carrying firearms into Walmart or Sam’s Club locations, except where permitted for authorized law enforcement officers,” the company said in a statement.
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V. Saxena is a staff writer with a decade of experience as a professional writer, and a lifetime of experience as an avid news junkie. He holds a degree in computer technology from Purdue University. Saxena also contributes to BizPac Review.
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