Floridians can currently carry concealed weapons, but open carry remains illegal in the state. Florida is one of four states that ban the open carrying of a firearm with or without a permit. 

The bill also seeks to repeal a “red flag” law that allows authorities to take guns from people found to pose a “significant danger” to themselves or others. This law was part of a wide-ranging measure after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland that left 17 dead.

“I take the Constitution very seriously,” Rudman said in a Facebook post. “That’s why my first bill of the 2025 Session is a 2nd Amendment bill that repeals Florida’s unconstitutional red flag laws and makes Florida an open carry state. If you value #liberty and #freedom, then you stand with me!”

Rudman’s bill would reclassify places where firearms are currently banned, such as college campuses and polling places, and allow residents to open carry there. The bill would also allow judges to carry a weapon into a courthouse and determine “who will carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm in his or her courtroom or chambers.”

The bill may face opposition in the Florida Senate as Senate President Ben Albritton has expressed opposition to open carry laws. He cited opposition from law enforcement as his reason.

“Let me be clear about this: I’ve supported law enforcement my entire life. It’s the way I was raised, and I’ve been super consistent as a legislator to support law enforcement in Florida. And I’d encourage you to check that record,” Albritton told reporters last month. 

“And I stand with them today in opposition. They oppose it. I trust my law enforcement officials, and that’s where I stand,” he added.

There has also been opposition in the Florida House under former House Speaker Paul Renner. The new House speaker, Daniel Perez, hasn’t commented on such legislation, but he did recently receive a 92% rating from the National Rifle Association.

John Kazanjian, president of the Palm Beach County Police Benevolent Association, confirmed  Albritton’s statement that law enforcement opposes the plan, calling it critical for public safety.

“We need those tools. God forbid that gets taken away, and we’re not going to have the capability to red-flag these people and take their guns. God forbid they commit some type of violence. So no, you can’t touch that. No way,” Kazanjian said.

Rudman is running in a special election to replace former Rep. Matt Gaetz after Gaetz resigned from Congress when he was in the running to be President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination for attorney general. Introducing this legislation could be one of his last moves in the Florida House. Rudman’s resign-to-run letter said he would leave the state house on Jan. 1. 

The Republican primary for Gaetz’s former seat is set for Jan. 28, 2025, and the general election will be held April 1.