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Opa-locka police brief commissioners on new Florida open-carry law and department response
Summary
Police chief briefed the City Commission on Florida’s law allowing open carry (effective Sept. 10, 2025), described restricted locations and officer guidance, and said the department will provide training and rely on body-worn cameras during interactions.
The City of Opa-locka police chief briefed the commission on Oct. 8 about Florida’s new open-carry law, describing the department’s operational guidance and how officers will respond when they encounter people openly carrying firearms.
“Open carry is now legal within the state of Florida,” the police chief said during a PowerPoint presentation explaining the statute and department practices. The chief told the commission the law took effect Sept. 10, 2025, and that officers are coordinating with Miami-Dade County counterparts for consistent implementation.
The chief outlined where firearms remain prohibited — including schools, detention facilities, courthouses and government buildings (the meeting took place in a government building that houses a school) — and said private property owners may prohibit firearms on their premises and request that someone leave. “The mission is always gonna be the safety,” the chief said.
The briefing covered specific operational points: officers may detain and arrest for improper exhibition (for example, pointing a firearm at someone), possession by a felon, impairment while possessing a firearm, and trespass on private property after a lawful request to leave. The chief said officers may secure weapons during investigations and return them if no criminal act is found, and noted that people aged 18–20 can open carry even if they cannot legally purchase firearms.
Chiefs from local agencies have coordinated training, and the Opa-locka department plans to emphasize officer safety and de-escalation. The chief also underscored body-worn camera use: “Body worn cameras is a policy right now... it’s even more important right now,” the chief said.
Mayor Mary Taylor thanked the chief for the presentation and asked that the slide deck be made available to the public. The chief said staff will consult the legal department on specific questions and continue coordination with Miami-Dade County legal staff.
No policy change was adopted at the meeting; the briefing was informational and intended to orient commissioners and the public to the statute and the police department’s operational expectations.
