LAKE CITY, Fla. (WCJB) – A man who calls himself Freedom Franko has been walking through communities in North Central Florida carrying an AK-47, saying he wants to educate people on Florida\u2019s open carry law.<\/p>\n
Franko said his goal is to reduce the stigma around open carry and clarify where firearms can and cannot be carried legally in the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpread awareness of where you can, where you can\u2019t carry, get rid of the stigma that if you do carry the police are out here to get you, they\u2019re going to get you,\u201d Franko said. \u201cThey\u2019re going to slam you down. That\u2019s not the case. Everybody I ran into as far as law enforcement has been very kind. We shake hands.\u201d<\/p>\n
Residents divided on Franko\u2019s walks<\/p>\n
Not everyone has welcomed his presence. Resident Kathleen Burke said she is against what Franko is doing.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m disabled and you know, I\u2019d run, I\u2019m sorry. There\u2019s no way. I\u2019d have to turn around and go the other way. If I did something wrong, I\u2019d be arrested,\u201d Burke said.<\/p>\n
Burke said Franko should not be walking through public areas with the rifle.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe should be arrested. He should not be walking around with an assault rifle up in public and everything else,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Law enforcement encounters, future plans<\/p>\n
Franko said he has been stopped by law enforcement during visits to communities including Starke and Trenton, but he cannot be arrested for carrying the AK-47.<\/p>\n
He said public recognition has grown during his walks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m walking down the street and people are yelling out my name, Hey, Freedom Franko, we know who you are taking pictures with me and stuff. So that\u2019s really great,\u201d Franko said.<\/p>\n
Franko said he plans to visit larger cities, including Tampa and Gainesville.<\/p>\n
When asked about negative reactions online and in person, Franko said he remains focused on those who are receptive to his message.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s positive comments and there\u2019s negative comments, but you know, the internet\u2019s like three little bears. It\u2019s going to be too hot for some, just right for others, and too cold for some. So you just got to focus on the one that it\u2019s just right for,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
If you want to follow along on his journey, he posts on TikTok.<\/a><\/p>\n