Florida’s Largest Grocery Store Chain, Publix, Announces It Now Allows Shoppers to Open Carry Guns. 

Publix, Florida’s largest grocery store chain, has announced that it will adhere to the state’s updated procedures regarding open carry laws.

On September 10, a panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal overturned a 1987 statute that made it a misdemeanor to visibly display firearms, according to Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier. The ruling clarified that private business owners still have the right to “compel individuals carrying firearms to leave their premises,” Uthmeier stated.

Two weeks later, on September 25, Florida’s new open carry policy officially took effect.

“As of Sept. 25, 2025, Florida law allows the open carry of firearms. Publix follows all federal, state and local laws,” a Publix spokesperson told NBC affiliate News Channel 8 and the South Florida Sun Sentinel.

The spokesperson added, “In any instance where a customer creates a threatening, erratic, or dangerous shopping experience — whether they are openly carrying a firearm or not — we will engage local law enforcement to protect our customers and associates.”

Publix operates more than 900 stores across Florida, according to the Sun Sentinel. The outlet contacted eight Publix stores in South Florida — including locations in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Davie, Miramar, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Coral Gables, and Homestead — and all confirmed they are allowing open carry following the DCA ruling.

While Publix will permit customers to openly carry firearms, several other major retailers have chosen to maintain restrictions. Walmart, Winn-Dixie, Harveys, and Fresco y Más have all reiterated their bans on open carry, according to NBC 6 South Florida.

“Our priority is creating a safe and welcoming shopping experience for all customers and associates,” said Southeastern Grocers, the parent company of Winn-Dixie, Harveys, and Fresco y Más, in a statement to NBC 6. “As a private business, our policy remains unchanged: we do not permit open carry of firearms inside our stores. We respectfully ask customers to secure firearms safely before entering.”

Walmart’s policy states: “Motivated by our desire to create a safe environment in our stores and clubs, we request that customers no longer openly carry firearms into Walmart or Sam’s Club locations in states where open carry is permitted — unless they are authorized law enforcement.” The company added that signage is being created to help communicate this policy and that it will continue following state and local laws regarding concealed carry permit holders.

Other national chains, including Costco and Target, also prohibit both open and concealed firearms on their premises.

“I don’t like when there is confusion out there because it often leads to mistakes and bad things happening,” Parkland State Rep. Christine Hunschofsky told NBC 6 South Florida. “I wish we would do more to make it clearer — something we can do in the legislature; it’s a pretty easy fix.”