The Safety Gap in the Sunshine State: Disarming Police

Florida allows publicly-open places to prevent police officers from carrying their firearms.

When I moved from New York to Florida, sometimes known as the Gunshine State, I was shocked and disappointed to learn that Florida police officers, despite being in a gun-friendly state, have less rights to carry their firearms than New York police officers, who serve an anti-gun state. This is something Florida has to correct.

Introduction: A Legal Gap Threatening Public Safety

Across the country, state laws strive to balance private property rights with the duties of law enforcement. In New York City, where essentially only cops and criminals carry firearms, private property owners routinely allow police officers, including off-duty officers, to bring their firearms onto the property, including places like Yankee Stadium, Madison Square Garden, and Broadway plays. Yet in Florida, a troubling gap exists: private property owners—including arenas, amusement parks, and hospitals—can and do legally prohibit even on-duty (and off-duty) law enforcement officers from carrying firearms on premises that are otherwise open to the public. This policy not only undermines public safety but forces law enforcement officers into dangerous situations without their most essential tool—self-protection.

Florida’s Current Law: A Problematic Disarmament of Law Enforcement

Legal Authority of Private Property Owners

Florida’s law currently allows private property owners wide latitude to restrict firearms, even for sworn law enforcement officers not performing official duties. This includes locations such as concert venues, sporting events, and medical facilities. And sometimes it may be a mistaken understanding of the law.

Florida Statute section 790.052 authorizes law enforcement officers to carry firearms throughout the state, separate and apart from any authority granted by law to carry under a concealed carry license or Constitutional Carry. Florida Statute section 790.06 allows for carrying firearms pursuant to a license or under "Constitutional carry." Within that section (FSS 790.06 (12), there is a list of places that persons cannot carry a concealed firearm, such as: schools, government buildings, and polling places. However, this only prohibits those carrying pursuant to a license/Constitutional carry, and not to police officers carrying under their authority as police officers (on- or off-duty). Stadiums, arenas, and hospitals in Florida, though not on the list, routinely refuse entry to armed law enforcement officers.

The Absence of Officer-Carry Protections in Statutes

Unlike some other states, Florida has no statute explicitly ensuring that police officers retain the right to carry firearms on private property that is accessible to the public. This forces many officers to disarm—potentially storing firearms in personal vehicles or foregoing entry—before attending public events in a personal capacity.

Real-World Implications for Florida Officers

Stadiums, Amusement Parks, and Hospitals

Consider this scenario: an off-duty officer attends a football game at a major stadium in Miami. Despite their training and law enforcement status, venue security requires the officer to disarm or be denied entry. The same occurs at theme parks in Orlando or hospitals in Tampa. And these locations are prime targets for active shooters and terrorists-alike.

The Dangers of Forced Disarmament

This policy can lead to slower response times in emergencies, decreased situational control, and increased danger for civilians and the disarmed officers themselves. This is especially critical in the age of active shooters and terror threats. Disarming trained law enforcement professionals contradicts public expectations and common-sense security policies - particularly in a gun-friendly state like Florida; while anti-gun states like New York, allow it.

The Texas Model: Pro-Law Enforcement and Pro-Public Safety

Overview of Texas Law (Tex. Code Crim. Proc. Art. 2A.052)

Texas addressed this issue head-on, prohibiting private property owners who hold property open to the public from banning licensed peace officers from carrying firearms on the premises, on- or off-duty. The law applies to places like amusement parks, stadiums, retail outlets, and restaurants. This statute recognizes the dual necessity of respecting property rights while reinforcing the public's interest in officer presence and readiness—especially in an age where active threats can emerge anywhere. Florida needs to adopt a similar law as soon as possible.

Call to Action: Florida Needs Legislative Reform Now

The Disney Excuse

When discussing the idea of this law with others, they often say, places like Disney would lobby against it. The truth is, we probably don't want off-duty officers carrying firearms in amusement parks with looping-type rides in which their firearms could become dislodged and jeopardize safety and security. So we could carve out something for those places or prohibit officers from riding rides. But places like Disney Springs should not be excepted, as it is essentially an outdoor mall.

How Citizens and Law Enforcement Can Advocate

• Contact Florida legislators through flsenate.gov and myfloridahouse.gov

• Share personal experiences or support from local police associations

• Encourage city councils and sheriffs to support a statewide statute

  
  

Conclusion

Florida must stop disarming its police officers at the gates of stadiums, hospitals, amusement parks, and other locations. With real threats on the rise, we cannot afford to sideline the very people trained to protect us. It’s time for Florida to follow Texas and other states by enacting clear legislation that ensures law enforcement officers can carry firearms in public-facing private venues. Let’s protect those who protect us—before the next crisis makes the need impossible to ignore.