While the topic of gun control takes center stage in Washington, state lawmakers will also be looking at ways to change gun laws in Florida.

In the wake of last month's deadly school shooting in Newtown, Conn., there has been plenty of talk about tighter gun control at the federal level.

Now legislation has been filed to tighten gun laws in Florida.

Under a new Democratic House bill, local governments would have the authority to ban concealed weapon permit holders from bringing their guns to public events such as football games and concerts.

The thinking behind the bill is that allowing for the option of a ban would stand a better chance of passing than a blanket ban.

It's completely legal to carry one if it's a publicly-owned venue and you have a concealed weapon permit.

Democratic Representative Alan Williams says in the wake of the Newtown school shooting, allowing guns in crowded places may not be the best idea. He's backing a new bill that would allow Florida's cities and counties to ban concealed weapons at public events.

"We don't want to take away the liberties our founding fathers gave us, but we also want to make sure that our communities are safe.  These weren't issues and threats that our founding fathers were dealing with," said Williams.

Gun rights advocates complain the bill is an overreaction. Under Florida law, local governments don't have any power to implement their own gun control measures.If they do, they'll be fined.

Gun rights lobbyist Marion Hammer is fighting to keep it that way.

"Every citizen, no matter where he or she lives in the state, knows what the rules are," said Hammer, with United Sportsmen of Florida. "You can't allow local governments to adopt their own rules and expect people to know what they are."

But, from speed limits to garbage collection, local governments already adopt their own rules, and the question now is if they'll be able to add guns to that list.