Florida Gov. Signs Bill Allowing Armed Teachers for Classroom Defense

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) signed legislation Wednesday that will allow teachers to be armed for classroom defense.

Fox News reports that the bill was an expansion of the state’s “Guardian” program and opens the door for any teacher “to carry a weapon if his or her school district approves.” Teachers wishing to carry a weapon will have to complete “at least 144 hours of police-style training, psychiatric evaluation and drug screening.”

Breitbart News reported that Florida’s House and Senate passed the legislation in response to the findings of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission. That investigatory commission found armed teachers could have made a difference in the February 14, 2018, Parkland shooting.