Florida Carry sued the city in July, arguing that the signs violated state statutes governing where guns may be carried. The organization contended that local governments have no authority to regulate firearms and that the legislature, not the City Commission, determines where weapons are and are not permitted.

"Local governments are forbidden from regulating firearms in any way," Florida Carry said in a press release announcing the litigation. "The legislature, not the St. Augustine City Commission, decides where firearms are and are not allowed. Nowhere in statute are publicly owned visitors centers deemed prohibited places."

The signs at the Visitor Information Center have since been removed.

The settlement adds St. Augustine to a growing list of Florida municipalities that Florida Carry has challenged in court. The organization says it has filed legal actions across the state against what it describes as "ill-conceived gun control laws" that it argues infringe on the Second Amendment right to bear arms.

The $40,000 payment resolves the dispute without a prolonged court fight, though the case highlights broader tensions between state firearms preemption law and local efforts to set rules for public buildings. Under Florida law, cities and counties are generally barred from adopting firearms regulations stricter than those set by the state.

For St. Augustine residents and visitors, the practical effect is that the downtown visitor center — a frequent first stop for tourists exploring the historic district — no longer posts signs barring firearms. The city has not issued a public statement beyond confirming the settlement.