I'm not sure it's a Florida thing, my friend. I think a razor sharp katana gets weapons classification just about anywhere in the US. I'd be surprised if it did not.
Funny ricter loon would say "aah FL." If anyone should be able to opine, "he's the one." After all, he sailed into the Orlando port, partied on the Orlando beach, then talked a local FL bar waitress into sex in a swamp which you and I KNOW have cotton mouths, massive snapping turtles, gators, etc., to name a few. Ok... Lol!
Ignorant lawmakers making laws about issues they know absolutely noting about? I was in Nebraska several months ago. You need a CCW to carry concealed but not to open carry. This is actually not unusual. So a guy wearing his shirt over his handgun needs a CCW. If he tucks his shirt in, no permit no background check no training required. Same guy same gun same shirt even.
There's no Open Carry allowed in Florida, which is where the katana would fall under. It's concealed carry only, and you CAN conceal and carry a knife. Show me how to conceal a katana and I'll agree with you. As for other open carry states (and here is a list for you), even in states where you can legally carry a weapon in plain sight leave you open for a whole host of other issues if you try. Open carry causes public distress in many situations. Just as walking down a street with a katana would most likely do to people.