Senator outlines legal landscape on open carry and vaccine mandates ahead of session
September 18, 2025 | City of Opa-locka, Miami-Dade County, Florida
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State Senator Chevron Jones used a town-hall forum in Opelika to summarize recent legal developments and to tell residents the legislature must clarify rules on open carry and vaccine mandates.
On open carry, Jones said a court ruling has found the state's prior open-carry laws unconstitutional and that the attorney general issued prosecutorial guidance. "The Supreme Court has ruled that our open carry laws that were on the books were deemed unconstitutional," Jones said. He added that while prosecutors have interim guidance, "the regulatory aspect of it comes from who? It come from the legislature, and we're not in session right now," and therefore the Legislature will need to act when it convenes.
On vaccine mandates, Jones said enforcement or new requirements cannot be imposed by the attorney general alone and that legislative authority is required. He also noted existing statutory exemptions for parents: "In law, already within statute, parents already have exemptions, religious and for personal reason." Jones said those statutory exemptions frame how statewide vaccine requirements would be implemented.
Why it matters: Jones framed both items as legal questions that have immediate operational effects for law enforcement and public health policy. He advised residents that changes or new regulations will be taken up during the legislative session, and he encouraged public engagement ahead of session.
Supporting details: Jones referenced statements from sheriffs' associations and the senate president expressing concern about open carry and said those law-enforcement voices complicate the debate. On the vaccines topic, Jones described mixed public messaging and referenced a recent report by a federal public health official (the transcript referenced the surgeon general) as contributing to confusion.
What’s next: Jones said the Legislature reconvenes in committee weeks (October pre-session) and session in January, and he invited constituents to bring proposals and questions to his office prior to session.
On open carry, Jones said a court ruling has found the state's prior open-carry laws unconstitutional and that the attorney general issued prosecutorial guidance. "The Supreme Court has ruled that our open carry laws that were on the books were deemed unconstitutional," Jones said. He added that while prosecutors have interim guidance, "the regulatory aspect of it comes from who? It come from the legislature, and we're not in session right now," and therefore the Legislature will need to act when it convenes.
On vaccine mandates, Jones said enforcement or new requirements cannot be imposed by the attorney general alone and that legislative authority is required. He also noted existing statutory exemptions for parents: "In law, already within statute, parents already have exemptions, religious and for personal reason." Jones said those statutory exemptions frame how statewide vaccine requirements would be implemented.
Why it matters: Jones framed both items as legal questions that have immediate operational effects for law enforcement and public health policy. He advised residents that changes or new regulations will be taken up during the legislative session, and he encouraged public engagement ahead of session.
Supporting details: Jones referenced statements from sheriffs' associations and the senate president expressing concern about open carry and said those law-enforcement voices complicate the debate. On the vaccines topic, Jones described mixed public messaging and referenced a recent report by a federal public health official (the transcript referenced the surgeon general) as contributing to confusion.
What’s next: Jones said the Legislature reconvenes in committee weeks (October pre-session) and session in January, and he invited constituents to bring proposals and questions to his office prior to session.
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