After months of allowing customers to openly carry guns in its Florida stores, Publix appears to have changed its controversial policy.
A September court ruling made open carry the law in Florida, and Publix then opted to allow customers to bring guns that were visible into their stores, citing the decision. Other major grocery chains, including Walmart and Winn-Dixie asked customers not to bring guns, using their discretion under the law, which allows businesses to decide whether to restrict firearms on their private property.
Now, signs recently posted inside and outside of the front entrances of Publix stores throughout the state, including in South and Central Florida, suggest the store’s policy has shifted again.
The signs, including those at an Alafaya Trail store in Orange County and an Orlando Avenue store in Maitland, read: “Publix kindly asks that only law enforcement openly carry firearms in our stores.” Publix’s customer service FAQ website shows the same message.
Publix’s corporate office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the signs or its policy. The grocer is a popular shopping option in Florida, with 900 stores in the state.
The signs were first reported Tuesday by the Suncoast Searchlight and the Tampa Bay Times.
The Orlando Sentinel contacted four Publix stores in Orlando, Clermont, Kissimmee and Sanford. Customer service and store management referred questions to the company’s corporate media relations.
The South Florida Sun Sentinel contacted nine Publix stores in South Florida, including locations in Boca Raton, Fort Lauderdale and Sunrise and got the same response.
In the fall, news that some customers could be openly carrying firearms while shopping at Publix stores prompted anger and threats of boycotts but also support from some who said it would make them feel safer.
A sign at a Publix in Miami Beach says the grocery chain “kindly asks that only law enforcement openly carry firearms in our stores.” (Angie DiMichele/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Florida began allowing open carry on Sept. 25 after an appeals court overturned the state’s ban on openly carrying firearms, deeming it unconstitutional.
In October, Lindsey Willis, a Publix spokesperson, sent the Sun Sentinel a statement that suggested, but did not expressly state, that the company would allow open carry in its stores.
The statement said: “As of Sept. 25, 2025, Florida law allows the open carry of firearms. Publix follows all federal, state and local laws. Treating customers with dignity and respect is a founding belief at Publix. In any instance where a customer creates a threatening, erratic or dangerous shopping experience — whether they are openly carrying a firearm or not — we will engage local law enforcement to protect our customers and associates.”
However, several store managers contacted at the time said clearly that open carry was allowed in their stores. One manager at a St. Cloud Publix said no one would approach a customer with a visible gun “as long as the customer is respectful to others and not causing a disruption.”
Sun Sentinel staff writer Susannah Bryan contributed to this report.
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