REPORT: Did Publix just ban open carry in Florida stores?
New signs and website guidance say only law enforcement may openly carry firearms in Publix stores, reversing the chain’s earlier policy.
- Publix has updated its Florida store policy to discourage open carry, now requesting that only law enforcement openly carry firearms in its stores. This reverses the retailer's previous stance adopted last Sept.
- After a Florida court ruling last Sept, the Lakeland-based grocery chain began allowing open carry, stating it was complying with federal, state, and local laws. This new update marks a departure from that position.
- New signs at Publix locations, including in Miami Beach and Lakeland, state the company "kindly asks that only law enforcement openly carry firearms in our stores." The retailer's online chatbot confirms this updated guidance.
- Spencer Myers, a state policy attorney with Giffords Law Center, said Publix maintains the right as a private business to ask armed customers to leave. He described the signs as a deterrent rather than a strict mandate.
- While retailers like Target and Whole Foods maintain long-standing policies restricting firearms, Publix's shift aligns it closer to industry standards. The company has not provided details regarding the motive behind this policy update.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Publix asks that only law enforcement openly carry guns in stores
Publix seems to be reversing its policy that let customers openly carry guns in their stores in Florida. Outside a store in Pembroke Pines, a signs lists a series of rules, including: no smoking or vaping, shoes and shirts required, no pets allowed, and near the bottom: “Publix kindly asks that only law enforcement openly carry firearms in our stores.” A sign outside of a Publix in Pembroke Pines in May 2026. The store allowed open carry after F…
Publix changes open carry policy to only apply for law enforcement officers - WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports
MIAMI (WSVN) - Publix appears to be changing their stance on allowing customers to open carry within their stores.New signage appearing outside of several Publix
Sun-Sentinel
Orlando SentinelPublix appears to change open-carry policy in Florida stores
Signs at Publix stores in Florida seem to indicate an open-carry policy change. They read: "Publix kindly asks that only law enforcement openly carry firearms in our stores."
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