A key legislative panel on Tuesday approved a measure to allow Florida's concealed weapon permit holders to carry their guns openly in public, a privilege currently granted in all but five states.

The open carry legislation, HB 163, is sponsored by Republican lawmakers and is a top priority of the state's powerful gun lobby, which five years ago tried and failed to pass a similar bill. Some law enforcement officials are supporting it as a way of deterring crimes like robberies.

"It might be a drugstore, it might be a pizza delivery person, it might be a home invasion. But rarely do we see where somebody goes in and robs a pawn shop. Rarely do we see where somebody goes in and robs a gun store, because they know what awaits them on the other side," Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey testified shortly before the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee passed the bill.

Critics, however, contend that allowing guns to be brandished in public courd hurt Florida's image as a tourism-friendly state.

"Imagine visiting Orlando with your children. Many people save up for years to take their kids to Disney World. They come to Orlando, they walk around the tourist areas, like International Drive, and they see people openly carrying their handguns. I would be uncomfortable with my children seeing that," said Patti Brigham, who chairs the Florida League of Women Voters' Gun Safety Committee.

Florida leads the nation in the number of concealed weapon permit holders, with more than 1.3 million permits issued.