A Florida appeals court ruled on Wednesday that the state’s open carry prohibition violates the Second Amendment, marking a significant legal shift for firearm regulations in the region. The decision stems from a 2022 case involving Stanley Victor McDaniels, who was arrested for violating the open carry ban and later appealed his conviction.

The court determined that Florida’s law, which restricts public open carrying of firearms except during hunting or camping, conflicts with constitutional protections. “We agree” with McDaniels’ argument that the ban is incompatible with the Second Amendment, the ruling stated. It declared the law unconstitutional, overturned his conviction, and reversed his sentence.

Florida has allowed concealed carry for decades but prohibited open carrying. The decision aligns with a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court case, New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen, which emphasized historical firearm regulations. The court noted Florida’s prohibition lacks sufficient historical precedent to justify its restriction.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier praised the ruling as a victory for “God-given right to self-defense,” while Governor Ron DeSantis reiterated his support for ending the open-carry ban. DeSantis, who previously urged lawmakers to pass open carry legislation, stated Florida should become an open-carry state.

The 2015 Florida Supreme Court had upheld the open-carry ban, but Wednesday’s opinion emphasized that recent legal standards require stricter historical justification for such restrictions. The ruling now renders the statewide prohibition unenforceable.