TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A new bill that would allow people to carry guns in Florida without a permit cleared a committee Tuesday and now goes before the full state House.

Currently, about two dozen other states have similar measures in place.

Constitutional carry could impact the state's current concealed carry law, changing how someone may be able to conceal carry after purchasing a firearm.

Republican leaders, including Gov. Ron DeSantis, have expressed support for the idea. And the Florida Sheriff’s Association supports it.

Florida handgun owners would still have to conceal their weapons in public, though there has been discussion to allow gun owners to openly carry weapons.

Still, critics of the bill say the permitless carry could be dangerous.

Some state Democrats responded that the proposal could lead to more gun violence and accidents. 

The bill being debated on Tuesday specifically addresses permitless concealed carry of a handgun.

This isn't a bill that would allow for open carry in Florida.

If it passes, it would not allow people to carry guns in areas they currently can't, like schools, government buildings or courthouses.

So what does change?  

A training class required by the state to get a concealed permit would no longer be required. Also, the fee for the Department of Agriculture to run a background check and issue a concealed license would go away.

Those against the bill argue the whole point of the licensing process is to make sure guns stay out of the hands of people that legally shouldn't be able to carry them.

But Republicans like Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, say criminals are going to carry regardless of having a license and the law-abiding citizen should have that choice as well.

"Gun control is something that doesn't take the guns away from those that would do harm, ultimately,” said Collins, a former Green Beret. “Taking guns away from law-abiding citizens and those that would defend their families and our way of life, doesn't solve those issues. What this does is makes sure our constitutional rights are upheld and that we have people that can act and make a difference when that time presents itself."

About half the states allow people to carry a gun without a permit, a movement that has been growing particularly among conservative states.

Florida handgun owners would still have to conceal their weapons in public, though there has been discussion to allow gun owners to openly carry weapons.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.