Florida Legislature to look at variety of gun bills for 2016

3 high-profile pieces of legislation expected to be at forefront of policy...

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Legislature will take a look at a variety of gun bills for 2016 starting next week. The proposals set up another high-profile gun fight.

It might be too early to call 2016 the year of the gun, but the year of the gun debate in the Florida Legislature might not be a stretch.

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Three high-profile pieces of legislation are expected to be at the forefront of policy making. One bill being considered would allow open carry for Floridians. The National Rifle Association said allowing a person to visibly show their gun protects concealed carry permit holders from getting arrested for accidental exposure of their weapon.

"People who have licenses to carry concealed are being arrested, charged and prosecuted because the firearm being carried concealed accidentally and unintentionally becomes exposed at the sight of another person," said Marion Hammer, of the NRA.

Another proposal would allow permit holders to take their weapons into public meetings including in the Capitol. There's guns on campus, a bill that has already cleared one committee.

Gov. Rick Scott dodged questions about the proposals earlier this week.

"I haven't seen the proposals," Scott said. When asked if college students should be armed, Scott said, "Well, I believe in the Second Amendment, and I know there are going to be a lot of proposals in the legislature this session and those that pass I'll be happy to look at."

But the Senate's Democratic leader made it clear where she stood.

"Open carry? I understand lots of states have it, but because other states have it doesn't mean that we need it here," Sen. Arthenia Joyner said.

Two of the gun proposals will be heard again Tuesday.

The guns on campus proposal failed earlier this year after staunch opposition from schools and campus police departments.