Florida house passes bills that could impact NWFL residents

(WEAR) - Immigration and guns on campuses were just two of the issues Florida lawmakers tackled on Wednesday.

The house passed several bills that could impact Northwest Florida residents.

After heavy debate, two bills passed by the Florida house deal with guns on college campuses.

Under one of the bills guns would be allowed on school grounds.

This bill would also allow lawmakers to carry concealed weapons onto their chamber's floor and in committee meetings.

Republicans argued the bills protect gun owners' constitutional rights and would keep campuses safer.

However, democrats said they create public safety risks.

In addition, lawmakers voted to allow licensed gun owners to openly carry their weapons on campuses.

Also, the house passed a bill that penalizes cities, counties and sheriffs that don't cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

Florida is one of several states considering similar bills.

The bill is in response to the 2015 death of Kate Steinle in San Francisco by a Mexican immigrant.

The suspect, Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, had been deported several times before but had been released by the San Francisco Sheriff's Office despite a request by immigration authorities to detain him.

Lastly, there was a push to pass body camera legislation.

The family of Corey Jones, a Palm Beach gardens man killed by a plain-clothes police officer last October, stood outside the governor's office pleading for legislation.

Jones was shot and killed on the side of the road.

His family says the questions surrounding their son's death are the reason law enforcement needs body camera policy.

Rev. Clinton Jones, Corey Jones' father said, "Help me, help me pass this law. Not only for my son but for other sons and other daughters. This is not only for Corey, this is justice for the nation, this is justice for everybody. That's what I'd tell the governor, I'd plead with him."

The legislation doesn't mandate departments use body cameras, but instead requires uniform policies and procedures.

Two bills are going to the governor's desk to be signed into law.

One bill bans recreational use of guns in populated neighborhoods.

The other changes Florida's 10-20-Life law, and eliminates mandatory minimum sentences for some aggravated assaults involving guns.

While the house passed bills on campus carry, and open carry, they may never get through the Senate.

Senate President Andy Gardiner said he will not bring either bill out of committee for discussion.