ST. LUCIE COUNTY, Fla. (CBS12) — The Martin County Sheriff’s Office is addressing community concerns after a man was seen walking through public spaces while openly carrying a rifle and a pistol.
The activity began in Martin County on Friday, March 27th, and the individual was spotted again Sunday, March 29th, in St. Lucie County, triggering a wave of 911 calls from residents reporting a potentially dangerous situation.
Deputies quickly located the man and identified him as a Second Amendment “auditor”—someone who intentionally performs lawful acts in public to document how law enforcement and the public react to their constitutional rights.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, while the sight of a rifle in public is understandably alarming, a thorough assessment revealed the man is acting within the limits of Florida law. Officials explained that these auditors are often more concerned with testing the legal boundaries of the Second Amendment than with the public’s perception of their behavior.
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Because no laws were broken during the interactions in either county, the individual was permitted to continue his walk, though deputies made it clear that they are monitoring the situation to ensure it remains peaceful.
This incident highlights a major shift in Florida’s legal landscape following the September 2025 appellate court ruling in McDaniels v. State, which struck down the state’s decades-old ban on the open carry of firearms. Previously, Floridians were only permitted to openly carry in very narrow circumstances, such as while hunting, fishing, or camping.
However, as of late 2025, open carry became the law of the land for law-abiding adults, provided they avoid restricted locations like schools, courthouses, and polling places. While the Martin County Sheriff’s Office says they will continue to uphold these constitutional rights, they also urge residents to continue reporting any behavior that causes concern.