WUFT-TV/FM | WJUF-FM
1200 Weimer Hall | P.O. Box 118405
Gainesville, FL 32611
(352) 392-5551

A service of the College of Journalism and Communications at the University of Florida.

© 2024 WUFT / Division of Media Properties
News and Public Media for North Central Florida
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Florida's Campus-Carry Bill Likely Holstered

If a proposal to allow guns on campus were to become law, the University of Florida could wind up paying nearly a half million dollars to accommodate it.
If a proposal to allow guns on campus were to become law, the University of Florida could wind up paying nearly a half million dollars to accommodate it.

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.

The News Service of Florida is a wire service to which WUFT News subscribes.