WINTER HAVEN A Florida appeals court decision striking down the states ban on openly carrying firearms is rippling through related statutes that govern where weapons are off-limits, according to CBS Miami. Attorney General James Uthmeier quickly embraced the Sept. 10 ruling by a three-judge panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal as the law of the state, advising prosecutors and police not to arrest or prosecute law-abiding citizens carrying a firearm in a manner that is visible to others. The decision invalidated a 1987 law that made open carry a misdemeanor; for decades after, Floridians could obtain concealed-weapons licenses but could not lawfully carry openly. Officials and gun-rights advocates told CBS Miami the ruling intersects awkwardly with Floridas prohibited places statute. That provision says a concealed-weapons license does not authorize open carry and does not allow concealed carry in specific locations such as jails, bars, legislative committee meetings, and police stations. Sean Caranna, executive director of Florida Carry Inc., argued that in light of the open-carry decision in a number of places, the prohibited places dont technically apply. He urged gun owners to exercise restraint in the interim, advising that sometimes discretion is the better part of valor, and to keep honoring the existing list of prohibited places when it comes to all forms of carry while the Legislature works on a fix in the session beginning January. A memo by David Marsey, general counsel to the Florida Police Chiefs Association, concluded the ruling did not change the prohibition on bringing handguns into prohibited places. But a closer reading identified what he called a gap that appears to prevent enforcement of a ban on the open carry of long guns in those same locations. That potential long-gun loophole adds complexity while the states rulebook remains anchored to a preopen-carry framework. Legislative leaders have not clarified next steps; House Speaker Daniel Perez and Senate President Ben Albritton have not indicated whether they support a corrective bill, CBS Miami reported. Uthmeier acknowledged that lawmakers might need to reconcile inconsistencies created by the decision but did not outline a specific path. He also pointed to Floridas improper exhibition of weapons statute, which criminalizes displaying a weapon in a rude, careless, angry, or threatening manner, and cautioned that law enforcement would intervene where conduct crosses that line. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd urged residents to be very, very careful, noting that while open carry is going to be the law, there remain places and circumstances where firearms are not permitted, including private businesses that choose to ban them. Pinellas County Sheriff Bob Gualtieri said sensitive spaces must be respected and that necessary action would be taken to effectuate legislative intent. The decision is also feeding political debates. State Rep. Dan Daley labeled the situation a hot mess, predicted it could become a hot-button issue in next years primaries, and argued that confusion makes the state less safe. CBS Miami noted that Uthmeier has described some inconsistencies now present between concealed-weapons licensing and permitless carry in the wake of the courts ruling. Caranna countered that any legislative changes will need to align with historical tradition consistent with recent Supreme Court guidance.