The News Service of Florida

The House on Friday approved a National Rifle Association-backed measure that would allow people without concealed weapons licenses to pocket their legally owned guns during declared emergencies.

And the representatives advanced two additional bills that would make it easier for people to get concealed-weapons licenses and further ensures that the public wouldn't know who those people are.

All three bills must still get support from the Senate.

The most controversial of the proposals (HB 209) would create an exemption to a state concealed-carry law by allowing individuals who have not qualified for licenses to carry firearms "while complying with a mandatory evacuation" from the governor or a local official during an event such as a riot, hurricane or wildfire.

More than 1.2 million of the licenses have been issued by the state Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, while NRA lobbyist Marion Hammer has estimated eight million Floridians own guns.

Rep. Kionne McGhee, D-Miami, said the bill's language is "vague" on how long an individual can carry a concealed weapon after an evacuation order has been issued and will make emergency situations more dangerous for law enforcement and the public. He said that "in 64 words we are calling for deregulations of gun possession in this state."

Bill sponsor Heather Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, replied that her proposal is a "narrowly tailored exception" to state law that "does not allow felons to carry a concealed weapon."

Currently, people can bring guns with them when following evacuation orders, but the firearms must be securely encased and stowed.

In less contentious action, the House approved, in a 94-22 vote, a measure (HB 523) that would allow local tax collector offices to handle concealed-weapon license applications.

And in a 112-4 vote, the House backed a corresponding bill (HB 525), which would expand a public-records exemption that shields the identities of individuals who apply and receive concealed carry licenses from the state to those who apply for licenses through tax-collector offices.

The measures weren't the only gun related bills seeing action Friday.

Before House members went into session, the House Judiciary Committee backed, in a 12-3 vote, a proposal (HB 753) by Sarasota Republican Greg Steube that would allow school principals or superintendents to designate people who could carry guns on school grounds for security purposes.

The bill is now ready to appear on the House floor. However, the Senate companion (SB 968) has cleared only one committee stop.