Sweetwater asks Florida Attorney General to clarify open‑carry authority at city meetings and parks
Summary
The commission authorized the city attorney to request an opinion from the Florida Attorney General on the legal reach of state law regarding open carry at local events, meetings and parks, citing recent case law and safety concerns.
The City Commission of Sweetwater on Oct. 6 authorized the city attorney to seek a legal opinion from the Florida Attorney General on whether municipalities may regulate the open carrying of firearms at city commission meetings, parks and other city events.
Commissioner Villanueva introduced the resolution and said the purpose is to obtain clarification after recent changes in case law. He said commissioners support the Second Amendment but have safety concerns about someone entering a commission meeting openly carrying a rifle or other weapon.
The resolution directs the city attorney to send specific questions to the Attorney General about the reach of state law and the authority of municipalities under Chapter 790 of the Florida Statutes. Commissioners voiced unanimous support and several said they would sign the request letter to the Attorney General.
Action: the commission approved the resolution to empower the city attorney to seek an opinion; the motion (moved by Commissioner Reynaldo Rey and seconded by Commissioner Yano) passed unanimously.
The city attorney told the commission the legal landscape is evolving, that most opinions he has reviewed support the city attorney’s position, but that a definitive opinion from the state Attorney General would provide clarity for local policy and event planning.
Next steps: the city attorney will draft and transmit the request to the Attorney General’s office and update the commission when a formal opinion is received.
