Walt Disney World’s ban on guns remains in place even as Attorney General James Uthmeier declares open carry is the “law of the state.”
Last week a panel of appellate Judges ruled that any restrictions on the open carry of firearms in Florida is unconstitutional. But private businesses, like the Disney giant, will still be able enforce their own policies.
“Guests are not permitted to have firearms, ammunition, knives or weapons of any kind at Walt Disney World Resort,” the company said this week when responding to a Florida Politics request for comment on the ruling. “All Guests are expected to comply with Walt Disney World Resort Property Rules.”
That means no guns at the four theme parks, water parks, Disney Springs restaurant and shopping district, or Disney hotels, the company said, without commenting further on the new ruling.
The open carry ruling spurred Orange County Sheriff John Mina to respond that people can be trespassed for bringing guns to theme parks, although he did not mention Disney by name.
“Although firearms can now be carried openly in Florida, you cannot carry openly or concealed in most government buildings, college campuses, or passenger terminals at airports. It’s very important that you understand the law,” Mina said in a video on X.
“And it’s important to understand that private property owners can still prohibit anyone from carrying firearms onto their properties and trespass anyone who violates that rule. That includes any private residents or business or places like shopping malls, hotels, and theme parks.”
Mina’s message is likely trying to educate the millions of tourists who travel to Orlando every year. The Orlando International Airport is Florida’s busiest airport, and an estimated 75 million people visited Orlando in 2024.
A surprising number of people have forgotten they carried guns in their backpacks, purses and, in one case, a diaper bag when they visited Disney Springs and Disney theme parks. Going through high-tech security detectors, they were caught by security and sometimes arrested for carrying concealed firearms, according to a 2021 Orlando Sentinel investigation.
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