The Florida State Senate is moving forward a controversial bill that would allow more teachers to carry guns in schools. The State Senate voted 22-17 Tuesday morning on a bill that in part would expand the 'Guardian' Program among other school safety measures. The program was put in place as part of other school safety initiatives following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland in February 2018. Currently the law says only teachers who have roles outside the classroom are allowed to carry guns. The bill expands the program to all teachers regardless of their roles. School districts would have to approve the program and the teachers who volunteer have to go through training and psychological evaluations.
There has been a lot of debate in the State Senate regarding this bill and it continued today for nearly 90 minute's ahead of the vote. Democrats argued more guns in schools could lead to accidents or a shooting if someone is able to grab a teacher's gun.
“We should protect from the outside in. We don’t need to bring guns into the classroom with the precious children that are sent to school every single day.” Democratic Senator Audrey Gibson from Jacksonville said.
Meanwhile Republicans said arming teachers could have saved more lives, if the program was in place before last year’s Parkland school shooting.
“I wish we had a law enforcement officer on every floor of every school. We do not and cannot.” Republican Senator Ed Hooper from Clearwater said.
The bill still needs to be approved by the State House.
