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There’s been no shortage of arguments on both sides of a heated back and forth argument on new gun legislation in the state. As Matt Galka tells us, the fates of both the campus carry and open carry bills may already be decided in both chambers.

The Florida House spent three hours questioning two controversial gun bills Tuesday night.  One allows concealed carry on college campuses, the other allows open carry throughout the state. Democrats heavily oppose both.

“There’s two constituencies, right? There’s the NRA, and then there’s everyone else, and the majority of Floridians don’t think there should be guns in schools or guns on college campuses,” said Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Coral Springs).

But gun issues rarely have trouble passing the Republican controlled House.  Open carry sponsor Matt Gatez (R-Shalimar) says it’s about liberty for Floridians.

“Why are we one of only five states that doesn’t allow open carry? I would hope that members of the Senate would be with members of the House in trying to provide the most liberty we can,” he said.

But the Senate President didn’t mince word about both bill’s chances in his chamber

“I think they’re in trouble, I think they’re in trouble. They’re in judiciary, it’s not my intent to pull those bills out of committee, it’s up to the chairs to make those decisions so yea, they’re probably in trouble,” said Senate President Andy Gardiner.

The Senate judiciary chairman said he would not hear the campus carry bill in his committee, and it’s not certain if Open carry makes the cut, either. Gaetz says he’s optimistic.

“I don’t know that any bills are in trouble quite yet 4 weeks into the legislative session, we have 5 weeks left of work and I’m hopeful that we’ll at least get an up or down vote,” he said.

The House did amend their open carry proposal; lawmakers could conceal carry in legislative meetings if it became law.

The Florida House went into session at 3 and they’re expected to pass both gun bills this evening. There are ways the Senate could take the bills up even if they don’t clear Senate committees.