The City of St. Augustine has agreed to a $40,000 settlement with the nonprofit Florida Carry, ending a legal dispute over signage that prohibited firearms at the downtown Visitor Information Center. The settlement was confirmed by city spokeswoman Melissa Wissel, who said the organization accepted the city’s payment and the signs have since been taken down.
Background of the lawsuit
Florida Carry filed the suit in July, arguing that the city’s signs violated state statutes that forbid local governments from regulating firearms. In a press release, the group asserted, “Local governments are forbidden from regulating firearms in any way. The legislature, not the St. Augustine City Commission, decides where firearms are and are not allowed. Nowhere in statute are publicly owned visitors centers deemed prohibited places.”
State law context
Governor Ron DeSantis signed a 2023 law allowing Floridians to carry firearms without a permit or training, and Attorney General James Uthmeier has reinforced the right to open carry following an appellate court decision last year. While private businesses may prohibit guns on their premises, state law does restrict firearms in certain locations such as schools, polling places, and venues where government bodies convene. However, the law does not extend those restrictions to all government‑owned property, a point central to Florida Carry’s argument.
City response and settlement
St. Augustine’s legal team chose to settle rather than continue litigation, resulting in the $40,000 payment. The city’s decision reflects a pragmatic approach to avoid further legal costs and to align with the state’s clear stance on Second Amendment rights. The settlement does not constitute an admission of wrongdoing, but it does resolve the dispute and removes the contentious signage.
Implications for local government
This outcome underscores the importance for municipalities to review signage and policies for compliance with state firearms statutes. It also highlights the ongoing tension between local authorities seeking to manage public safety and statewide efforts to protect constitutional gun rights. City officials are encouraged to consult legal counsel when drafting any future regulations that could be perceived as infringing on state‑mandated rights.
Reactions
Florida Carry did not respond to a request for comment from Jacksonville Today. The organization continues to file challenges across the state, describing what it calls “ill‑conceived gun control laws” as infringements on the U.S. Constitution’s Second Amendment.
Residents and visitors to St. Augustine can now access the Visitor Information Center without encountering signage that restricts lawful firearm possession, reflecting the city’s compliance with state law and the settlement agreement.
Original reporting: Jacksonville Today — read the source article.
