“I’m Fishing!” – Jeff Gray Schools Police on Open Carry Law

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Fishing Trip Turns Into Constitutional Lesson After Armed Encounter With Police in Florida

An ordinary fishing trip in Florida turned into an unexpected legal lesson after a man calmly cited state law during a tense encounter with police officers responding to a report of a suspicious armed individual. The incident, captured on video and later shared online, highlights the complexities of firearm laws, police procedures, and citizens’ constitutional rights.

The man at the center of the encounter, Jeffrey Marcus Gray, had been fishing near Ormond Beach when a concerned caller alerted police about a man openly carrying firearms. When officers arrived, they approached Gray cautiously, their weapons drawn, unsure of what situation they were stepping into.

What followed was a tense but controlled interaction that eventually turned into what some viewers later described as an “outdoor constitutional law class.”

A Suspicious Call Leads to a Police Response

According to the footage, the encounter began when an officer approached Gray and immediately asked about the firearm he was carrying.

“Yeah, I got my .45,” Gray responded calmly.

The officer then asked if Gray had a pistol permit. Gray initially replied that he did not, which raised further concern for the officers.

Florida generally prohibits open carry of firearms, and officers were initially unsure whether Gray’s actions were legal. As a precaution, the officer instructed Gray to put his hands over his head and set the firearm down while they secured the situation.

“I want to make it very clear,” Gray said at one point during the encounter, “I do not consent to any searches or seizures on my property.”

Despite his objections, officers detained him temporarily while they waited for backup and began investigating the situation.

Temporary Detention and Questions

The officers explained that they had received a call reporting a suspicious person carrying a gun. Given the circumstances, they needed to determine whether any laws had been broken.

Gray remained calm throughout the exchange. While complying with basic instructions, he repeatedly asserted his constitutional rights.

When asked several questions by the officers—including whether he lived nearby and details about his weapons—Gray declined to answer most of them, invoking his right to remain silent.

“I’ll give you my name since I’m being detained,” Gray said. “Jeffrey Marcus Gray.”

Beyond identifying himself, he declined further questioning.

The officers eventually placed him in handcuffs for safety reasons, explaining that he was being detained but not arrested. During a safety search, they also discovered that Gray was carrying another firearm concealed in his waistband along with spare magazines.

Miranda Rights and the Legal Discussion

At one point, another officer read Gray his Miranda rights to ensure he understood the situation and his legal protections.

“You have the right to remain silent,” the officer said. “Anything you say can be used as evidence against you.”

Gray confirmed that he understood.

When officers asked why he was carrying multiple firearms in public, Gray finally offered a brief explanation.

“I’m fishing,” he said, “and I’m open carrying while fishing, which is perfectly legal in the state of Florida.”

He then cited a specific section of state law.

The Key Law: Florida Statute 790.25

Gray referred officers to Florida Statute 790.25, a law that contains several exceptions to the state’s general ban on open carry.

Under this statute, individuals are permitted to openly carry firearms while engaged in activities such as hunting, fishing, camping, or traveling to and from those activities.

Gray specifically mentioned subsection (h) of the statute, which includes these exceptions.

The officers admitted they were not immediately certain about the exact wording of the law and said they would verify the statute.

One officer responded, “We’ll confirm that, and I think you’re right.”

Clarifying the Permit Issue

Another concern arose regarding Gray’s concealed firearm. Officers believed that if he did not have a concealed carry permit, carrying the second weapon could violate Florida law.

Initially, Gray’s earlier statement about not having a permit created confusion.

However, Gray clarified that he had misunderstood the question.

He explained that he meant he did not have an open carry permit, which does not exist in Florida, but that he did have a concealed weapons permit.

The permit was located inside his wallet. Once officers located and verified the permit, it confirmed that his concealed carry was lawful.

Resolution Without Charges

After confirming Gray’s permit and reviewing the relevant statute about open carry while fishing, the officers concluded that Gray had not violated any laws.

The handcuffs were removed, and the officers returned his firearms.

Rather than handing the weapons directly to him, they placed them near his vehicle for safety reasons and allowed him to retrieve them afterward.

“Nothing’s been uncased or tampered with,” one officer told him while returning the equipment.

Gray thanked the officers and prepared to continue his day.

Advice From Officers

Although the encounter ended peacefully, one of the officers offered Gray some advice.

He suggested that even if open carry during fishing is legal, carrying multiple visible firearms in a residential area could alarm people unfamiliar with the law.

“Common sense might dictate wearing them concealed,” the officer said. “So you don’t run into situations like this.”

The officer emphasized that the recommendation was not a legal requirement but a practical suggestion to avoid future calls to police.

A Viral Example of Citizen Knowledge

After the video circulated online, many viewers praised Gray for remaining calm and knowledgeable about the law. Others noted that the officers handled the situation professionally once the legal issues were clarified.

The encounter illustrates how misunderstandings about firearm laws can lead to police interactions, even when no laws are actually broken.

Florida’s firearm statutes include several specific exceptions that are not widely known, even among residents.

Lessons From the Encounter

Legal experts often emphasize two important points highlighted in this incident.

First, citizens should understand their rights and responsibilities under the law, particularly when carrying firearms.

Second, police officers must often make quick decisions in uncertain situations, especially when responding to reports involving weapons.

In this case, both sides ultimately resolved the situation through communication and verification of the law.

Gray continued his fishing trip after the encounter, and no charges were filed.

What began as a routine call about a suspicious person ended with a reminder of how critical legal knowledge can be—for both citizens and law enforcement.