Florida governor signs bill allowing more armed teachers

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that will allow more classroom teachers to carry guns in school, a response to last year's mass shooting at a Parkland high school.

News 12 Staff

May 9, 2019, 11:14 AM

Updated 1,825 days ago

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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a bill that will allow more classroom teachers to carry guns in school, a response to last year's mass shooting at a Parkland high school.
DeSantis signed the bill in private Wednesday and issued no statement.
It was one of the more contentious bills of a legislative session that ended Saturday.
The measure expands an existing school "guardian" program and allows any teacher to volunteer to carry a weapon if their local school district approves.
Volunteers must undergo police-style training and a psychiatric evaluation.
Under current law, only teachers who also have another role such as sports coach are eligible to carry weapons on campus.
The bill makes other changes to a school safety law enacted after 17 people were killed in February 2018 at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
AP wire services helped contribute to this report.


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