On Wednesday, Florida gun house owners obtained an early Christmas current courtesy of Gun House owners of America (GOA) and YouTuber Richard Hughes, who runs the FlyingRich YouTube channel. After a prolonged authorized battle, GOA entered a authorized settlement with the State of Florida and Port Saint Lucie. The settlement affirms that the state regulation towards the open carrying of a firearm is unconstitutional in Florida.
Mr. Hughes and GOA sued Former Port Saint Lucie Sheriff Kieth Pearson and the state over a Sunshine State regulation that prevented its residents from overtly carrying weapons outdoors very particular circumstances, comparable to open carrying a firearm whereas looking or fishing. Different People in Florida risked arrest if they didn’t conceal their weapons in public. Hughes is neither a hunter nor a fisherman, however he believes he ought to have the identical basic human rights as somebody taking part in these actions.
Hughes selected to sue Port Saint Lucie as a result of former Sheriff Pearson threatened to arrest anybody who determined to open carry a gun. The Florida man owns a canine and frequents a canine park positioned in Port Saint Lucie, so his concern of being arrested for open carrying was nicely justified. Mr. Hughes can be a gun rights activist and a GOA member who believes all restrictions on the carrying of firearms violate the protections of the Second Modification.
Earlier this fall, one other case in Florida took on the open carry regulation. That was a prison case involving activist Stanley McDaniels, who was arrested for open carrying a gun whereas waving a replica of america Structure at a Pensacola Intersection on July 4, 2022. He was arrested and charged with violating state regulation concerning the open carrying of a firearm. He was convicted in a Florida courtroom of regulation. The person was sentenced to probation and group service, however he appealed the choice to the First District Courtroom of Appeals in Florida. A 3-judge panel dominated that the regulation was unconstitutional and struck down the conviction.
After the case was determined, GOA and Hughes continued their lawsuit to assist put the ultimate nail within the coffin on the anti-gun Florida State regulation. There was an opportunity that the ruling towards the open carry regulation may very well be overturned sooner or later. By forcing Florida and Port Saint Lucie into an settlement, the authorized victory assures that the Florida regulation won’t return and will assist different authorized challenges to open carry bans.
This can be a large win for gun house owners in Florida!
Open Carry is protected by the Second Modification. Interval. https://t.co/rAlauL7oOm
— Gun House owners of America (@GunOwners) November 19, 2025
Mr. Hughes was ecstatic in regards to the authorized win. He informed AmmoLand Information that after assembly with the GOA attorneys, he didn’t doubt that he would win his case. The YouTuber plans to open carry at any time when doable.
“They are saying you possibly can’t win with out a crew, so I need to thank Former Port Saint Lucie Sheriff Kieth Pearson for teeing it up for us,” Hughes mentioned. “The Florida State and St Lucie County attorneys for completely illustrating the legendary ‘effectivity’ of presidency. The actual MVPs, nonetheless, are Gun House owners of America. The GOA attorneys who’re absolute chads—sensible, aggressive, and efficient. And to the members who fund the battle: this win is yours.”
The State, Port Saint Lucie, and GOA have agreed to the phrases and are anticipated to file for dismissal inside the subsequent 30 days.
About John Crump
Mr. Crump is an NRA teacher and a constitutional activist. John has written about firearms, interviewed folks from all walks of life, and on the Structure. John lives in Northern Virginia together with his spouse and sons, observe him on X at @crumpyss, or at www.crumpy.com.
