By Romy Ellenbogen, Tampa Bay Times

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida is a step closer to allowing the open carry of firearms in public, based on a court decision out of the Panhandle.

On Wednesday, the Florida First District Court of Appeal ruled that the state’s open carry ban is unconstitutional, saying that it conflicts with the Second Amendment’s guarantee of the right to bear arms.

The ruling isn’t final until the 15-day window for a rehearing has run out. But Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier will not seek a rehearing or ask the Florida Supreme Court for review, meaning the court’s decision will likely stand. On social media, Uthmeier said he fully supported the ruling.

The open carry case originated from the 2022 arrest of Stanley McDaniels in Escambia County. McDaniels, before

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