Florida fixed blade OC question

[SueZQ]

I recently have temporarily relocated to Western Florida, the only laws I can find are for CC, I am wondering if anyone knows, or can point me in the proper direction to find out if I can OC my Busse Team Gemini Light Brigade (TGLB) in a full sheath on my belt. Any help is greatly appreciated, and thank you in advance.

 

[glistam]

As far as state law is concerned, open carry is perfectly legal. If you have a valid concealed weapon permit, you can even carry it concealed.
There are possible pitfalls to open carry of blade as large and intimidating as the TGLB. First, there is a possibility of local city muni codes that prohibit or restrict open carry. Second, if your behavior and/or the environment in which you carry make you seem suspicious to others (say if you walked into a hospital with that big blade in a thigh sheath) the police might be called by some nervous onlooker, which at best results in an awkward conversation and at worst a citation for disorderly conduct/menacing. Compare to say, if you are out fishing or camping, where no one would probably even notice.

Details of the law can be found here (http://www.leg.state.fl.us/statutes/) But here is a paste of the useful parts:

790.001 Definitions.—As used in this chapter, except where the context otherwise requires:
...
(3)(a) “Concealed weapon” means any dirk, metallic knuckles, slungshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or other deadly weapon carried on or about a person in such a manner as to conceal the weapon from the ordinary sight of another person.
...
(13) “Weapon” means any dirk, knife, metallic knuckles, slungshot, billie, tear gas gun, chemical weapon or device, or other deadly weapon except a firearm or a common pocketknife, plastic knife, or blunt-bladed table knife.
...
(16) “Readily accessible for immediate use” means that a firearm or other weapon is carried on the person or within such close proximity and in such a manner that it can be retrieved and used as easily and quickly as if carried on the person.
(17) “Securely encased” means in a glove compartment, whether or not locked; snapped in a holster; in a gun case, whether or not locked; in a zippered gun case; or in a closed box or container which requires a lid or cover to be opened for access.

790.01 Carrying concealed weapons.—
(1) Except as provided in subsection (4), a person who carries a concealed weapon or electric weapon or device on or about his or her person commits a misdemeanor of the first degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083.
(2) A person who carries a concealed firearm on or about his or her person commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084.
(3) This section does not apply to a person licensed to carry a concealed weapon or a concealed firearm pursuant to the provisions of s. 790.06.
(4) It is not a violation of this section for a person to carry for purposes of lawful self-defense, in a concealed manner:
(a) A self-defense chemical spray.
(b) A nonlethal stun gun or dart-firing stun gun or other nonlethal electric weapon or device that is designed solely for defensive purposes.
(5) This section does not preclude any prosecution for the use of an electric weapon or device, a dart-firing stun gun, or a self-defense chemical spray during the commission of any criminal offense under s. 790.07, s. 790.10, s. 790.23, or s. 790.235, or for any other criminal offense.

 

[SueZQ]

Thank you. I often bike or walk alone and would like to have something that could chop through vines and other such hazards with ease. I'd prefer a sword but suppose that would really look suspicious lol. As far as in the car I have an intense fear of drowning in a vehicle and feel more comfortable having it to bust a window and swim out.