Florida Senator Don Gaetz has filed laws aimed toward strengthening safety at church buildings, mosques, synagogues, and different locations of worship.
The “Safety Providers at Locations of Worship” invoice (SB 52), launched final Tuesday, would enable volunteers to offer armed safety with out requiring a state safety license, if the measure passes.
If handed, the invoice would take impact in July 2026. Gaetz hopes to have it voted on in the course of the subsequent legislative session, which begins in January.
“Now, the regulation is slightly bit grey, and church buildings that aren’t licensed to make use of armed safety groups could also be in some type of hazard, in some way of being cited,” Gaetz stated. “And so, consequently, this clears up the regulation and says safety groups should not solely authorized however they’re acceptable and right here’s how they work.”
At present, non secular organizations looking for armed safety have few choices. They’ll rent off-duty regulation enforcement officers or receive a state safety license for volunteers, each of which will be costly and troublesome for smaller congregations to handle. Gaetz’s laws would enable volunteers to function legally whereas nonetheless sustaining oversight. Volunteers could be required to observe a sheriff-approved safety plan, full a background verify, stay unpaid, and maintain a legitimate Florida hid weapon or firearm license.
“So that is increasing gun rights and making it clear that, sadly, our homes of worship who wish to be protected should have a method of being protected and have the state approve it,” Gaetz added.
Gaetz stated the laws is designed to strike a steadiness between offering safety and making certain security. “This doesn’t enable simply anybody to hold a gun right into a church. Volunteers nonetheless have to satisfy background verify necessities, have a hid carry license, and function beneath a sheriff-approved plan,” he defined.
If handed, it will considerably change how Florida non secular organizations are in a position to defend their congregations.
