Florida lawmakers have officially cleared the way for a major shift in campus security, passing legislation that allows college professors and staff to carry concealed weapons on campus. The move, which expands the state’s existing “Guardian Program” to higher education, was met with a quick “thumbs up” from the Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms (CCRKBA).
The Florida Senate passed HB 757 with a 26-10 vote, while the House backed the measure 88-20. Under the new rules, faculty and staff members who wish to carry a sidearm must be volunteers and undergo specific training.
The legislation is designed to add a layer of defense against active threats, moving away from the “gun-free zone” policies that have governed Florida campuses for years.
Alan Gottlieb, Chairman of the CCRKBA, praised the decision as a necessary pivot following past tragedies, specifically citing a shooting at Florida State University.
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“We’ve tried so-called ‘gun-free zone’ campuses and it’s been a failure,” Gottlieb said. “It’s time to think out of that restrictive box and try a different approach, which is to allow volunteers to train and fight back.”
The debate over the bill highlighted a sharp divide between those who believe more guns will lead to accidents and those who argue that unarmed campuses are “soft targets” for criminals. Gottlieb dismissed the opposition from some academic circles, calling it “utopian nonsense” that ignores the reality of violent crime.
“For years, we’ve watched the hand-wringing and head-shaking over attacks on college campuses,” Gottlieb observed. “All that accomplished was to fool the public into believing some action had been taken while the body counts climbed.”
The new law emphasizes that participation is strictly voluntary. Staff members who choose to join the program will be integrated into the school’s security strategy, providing what supporters call a “fighting chance” to intervene during a crisis.
While critics remain concerned about the presence of firearms in classrooms, proponents argue that the training requirements ensure that only those who are prepared and skilled will be carrying.
“Florida lawmakers recognize that colleges and universities are not immune from violent crime,” Gottlieb said, adding that the move gives people on campus the “skills to intervene and stop tragedies.”
HB 757 is expected to be signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis.
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