The recent ruling on open carry in Florida has sparked conversations throughout the community. WINK News sought to understand local perspectives on this significant change.

Attorney General James Uthmeier declared open carry as the "law of the state." In response, WINK News Anchor Claire Galt took community questions directly to him.

The primary worry among residents was not about guns themselves, but about untrained gun owners now legally allowed to openly carry in public. "What if someone doesn't strap their gun down? What if someone else just grabs it?" were questions raised by many.

Uthmeier addressed these concerns directly.

"Well, one thing I tell people is, if you look around the country, a large super majority of states already have open carry," said Uthmeier. "And we don't see the world ending. We don't see a lot of these very dangerous circumstances that are speculated here in Florida. I mean, it will be a transitional period again; additional guidance and possibly new cleanup in the Florida Statutes is necessary. But at the end of the day, I tell people, just because you have a right to do something doesn't necessarily mean you should."

"And there's additional Florida law that says if you brandish a firearm in a way that is threatening, harassing, careless, or rude to other people, then that's not lawful," he said.

Uthmeier stressed the importance of responsible behavior, stating, "If you go out there and you're careless and you're dangerous and you put others in severe danger, we're gonna come after you."

Private property owners can decide whether to allow open carry in their businesses, and Uthmeier recommended using signs to inform the public of their policies.