ORLANDO, Fla. — A Florida legislator form Lake County recently introduced a bill that would allow concealed-carry permit holders to have guns on college and university campuses across the state.

Legislator wants to allow permit holders to have guns on campus

Rep. Anthony Sabatini says it could allow people to respond to threats

UCF police chief says it would take significant time to implement changes

This same bill failed in the state several years ago, but Republican Rep. Anthony Sabatini is looking to see the bill be pushed through.

The Florida state legislature could soon take up the issue again after the new bill filled last week suggests changing current law that does not allow guns on college and university campuses.

“This is a bill that simply allows law-abiding, good people in our state who have concealed weapons licenses in our state, who pass the background check already, to be able to go onto a campus of higher education.” Sabatini said.

Because of recent law, concealed permit carriers must now be at least 21 years of age. Twelve states across the county already allow guns on college and university campuses in some manner.

Sabatini says the bill will allow those who want to protect themselves in the event of an emergency to respond to a threat when law enforcement response is delayed.

“Law enforcement failed at Stoneman Douglass High School. That was pretty clear," Sabatini said.

UCF Police Chief Carl Metzger says he understands the pros and cons but says the change to allow concealed weapons on campus would be costly and require a significant overhaul.

“I’d want to change our polices, change the way we train and offer up training to our campus community so they know what to do," Metzger said.

If this bill became law, Metzger says law enforcement agencies would need a significant amount of time to implement changes on college campuses so that students, faculty, and staff are safe.

The bill now has to be filed by a senator and then discussed during the House Committee process.