TALLAHASSEE-- There appears to be little chance the Senate Judiciary Committee will take up a proposal that would allow people with concealed-weapons licenses to pack heat while on college and university campuses.
A day after saying his "position hasn't changed from last year," Judiciary Chairman Miguel Diaz de la Portilla said Wednesday it's unlikely the bill (SB 68) will be taken up by his committee.
"As each day goes by, there's less of a probability," the Miami Republican said adding, "I don't think we'll be hearing campus carry this session."
Diaz de la Portilla was responding to questions from reporters Wednesday after a Senate Regulated Industries Committee meeting.
The campus-carry measure --- opposed by many faculty members, university and college presidents, and campus law enforcement --- died last year after Diaz de la Portilla refused to put it on the agenda in his committee.
At the time, he said there didn't appear to be committee support for the measure.
The bill this year has narrowly passed the Senate Criminal Justice and Higher Education committees.
The Judiciary Committee is expected to hear a separate bill (SB 300) that seeks to allow concealed-carry license holders to openly display their sidearms in most places.
National Rifle Association lobbyist Marion Hammer has said the campus-carry measure will return in 2017 if it fails this year.