Self-Proclaimed Second Amendment Democrat Takes Issue With Open Carry Decision

Back when Nikki Fried was Florida’s Agriculture Commissioner, she filed a federal lawsuit challenging the law banning medical (and recrecational) marijuana patients from possessing firearms. That’s about the only pro-2A move the Democrat has made in her political career, but Fried, who’s now the chair of the Florida Democratic Party, insists that she has “a long history advocating for the rights afforded in the Second Amendment.” 

So why does she have a problem with the recent court decision declaring Florida’s ban on open carry unconstitutional? In a press release, Fried blasted the unanimous decision by a panel of state judges on the First District Court of Appeals. 

Nationwide, we are seeing harrowing levels of gun violence, marked by assassinations, school shootings, and people being killed in places of worship. This is a moment in history when we need to promote safer environments, not embolden those who could abuse the ruling’s intent to sow seeds of terror.  We strongly encourage law enforcement to wait for a final legal judgment before allowing open carry, as it may cause confusion that leads to danger at a time when calm and clarity are so desperately needed.

Historically, the Florida Sheriffs Association, many departments across the state, and leaders on both sides of the aisle have agreed: open carry will make Floridians less safe. The impact of this decision will have negative long-term effects on our communities and further erode Floridians’ trust in one another.”

Does Fried honestly believe that someone intent on committing an assassination or an act of mass murder was just waiting until they could legally open carry before carrying out their attack? If so, I’d say it’s time to stop smoking the devil’s lettuce and return to reality. 

Here’s another reality check: despite Fried’s claim that she has a long history of advocating for Second Amendment rights, she has (among other things) backed a ban on so-called assault weapons during her gubernatorial campaign in 2022 and opposed the state’s firearm preemption law. In fact, here’s what she said about dismantling the law and allowing localities to adopt their own gun control ordinances just three years ago. 

One day before the Florida Supreme Court is set to hear arguments in a major gun-control lawsuit, Commissioner of Agriculture and Community Services Nikki Fried urged Floridians not to give way to cynicism over barriers to reducing gun violence.

A positive ruling by the state’s highest court could mean “giving the power to our local governments to make up for the failures of what is happening in Tallahassee,” Fried said Wednesday during an Orlando news conference.

Local ordinances could include expanded background checks and red-flag laws, including for ammunition purposes; banning large-capacity magazines, and “keeping assault rifles off of our streets,” said Fried, a Democrat, an attorney and an elected Florida Cabinet member.

“We should be talking about how to save lives and how to prevent active shooting terrorism. Instead, the state is working to punish local governments for taking the steps on gun violence. This is completely backwards,” she said.

The Florida Supreme Court upheld the state’s preemption law, much to Fried’s chagrin. The truth is that Fried has done one thing that’s supportive of the Second Amendment while advocating for multiple infringements on our Second Amendment rights.  

If Fried truly supported the right to keep and bear arms she’d be praising the court’s decision, which brings Florida in line with the vast majority of states. Only Illinois, California, New York, and Connecticut ban the practice, and most states don’t require a permit to openly carry, even if one is required to carry concealed. 

Fried had the potential to be a true Second Amendment supporter when she was elected as Ag Commissioner a few years ago. Instead, she’s shown herself to be just another Democrat fraud who claims to support the right to keep and bear arms while actively working to undermine those rights. 

Editor’s Note: The Democrat Party is chock full of politicians who say “I support the Second Amendment, but…”

Help us continue exposing Democrats’ plans to infringe on our 2A rights. Join Bearing Arms VIP and use promo code FIGHT to get 60% off your membership.