Florida Senate advances bill making it easier to arm teachers

By Chris Eger

A measure that would cut some of the red tape from a program to arm educators and school faculty in Florida passed a key committee this week. The bill, SB 7030, was reported favorably by state Senate Education committee 5-3 on Tuesday.
The proposal would allow school or contract employees as well as law enforcement officers to be armed under Florida’s new Guardian Progam provided they are appointed by the local district superintendent and approved by the school board. Currently, the program is more limited to who can participate.
“My eight grandchildren, and their generation, they deserve to have someone ready to protect them if they are available,” state Sen. Dennis Baxley, R-Ocala, said. “I am asking you to understand that we want to empower those people who can do something, they are the only ones who will be there in a narrow amount of time to save those lives.”
According to the committee analysis, for the last school year at least 25 Florida school districts have established guardian training programs in conjunction with local sheriffs. As of January 2019, 688 guardians had been assigned to public schools in the participating districts. Guardians have to complete extensive training and have a valid concealed carry

Source: Guns.com