US EditionFlorida House Advances Bill to Arm College and University Faculty as Protection From School Shootings
The bill would train and arm select college employees to prevent incidents like the 2025 Florida State University shooting, with unanimous committee support.
- On Feb. 3, 2026, the Education & Employment Committee unanimously backed HB 757 to expand the armed school guardian program to Florida colleges and universities, with input from students, parents, faculty and staff, Rep. Michelle Salzman, R-Pensacola, said.
- The proposal follows last year's Florida State University shooting, with sponsors saying HB 757 adapts Florida's Marjory Stoneman Douglas law and expands the K-12 guardian model to colleges.
- The measure would require college and university presidents to designate trained faculty and staff for concealed-weapons licenses, promote FortifyFL, transfer K-12 records, and establish active-assailant plans.
- The bill now moves to the House Budget Committee and, if approved, most provisions would take effect later this year, while SB 896 has yet to appear before a committee.
- Salzman said `This bill creates a prevention and a response mechanism unlike any other` and `This will be the beacon for the nation`, while critics and Emily Stewart, assistant professor of geology, warned armed civilians could cause confusion and safety risks.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Florida Lawmakers Moves to Arm College Staffers Under ‘Guardian’ Program
A Florida House committee unanimously approved a bill to expand the "school guardian" program to state colleges and universities. Inspired by a 2025 shooting at Florida State University, the proposal allows campus presidents to designate trained employees to carry firearms. While supporters emphasize enhanced response times, critics warn that arming civilians could confuse law enforcement during active shooter scenarios. The post Florida Lawmake…
Sun-Sentinel
Orlando SentinelUniversity and college ‘guardian’ bill moving forward in Florida
An effort to expand the armed “school guardian” program to Florida colleges and universities, following a deadly on-campus shooting in Tallahassee last year, has moved forward in the House.
Florida House advances bill to arm college and university faculty as protection from school shootings
The "school guardian" bill comes after a deadly shooting last year at Florida State University, where two people were killed and five others were injured at the hands of a student.
Tallahassee Reports
News Service of FloridaUniversity and College ‘Guardian’ Bill Moving Forward
By Jim Turner, The News Service of Florida An effort to expand the armed “school guardian” program to colleges and universities, following a deadly on-campus shooting near the Capitol last year, took another step forward in the House Tuesday. Calling for select post-secondary employees to be trained and armed, the Education & Employment Committee unanimously backed the proposal (HB 757) that builds on changes made in the public-school system aft…
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