The Florida Senate has passed the “Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act.” The bill narrowly passed the chamber yesterday, after an amendment to exclude most classroom teachers from a program that would allow some school staffers to carry guns onto campus.
According to a press release from the state Senate, the Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program would be established by willing Sheriff's Offices and school districts around the state. Individuals who exclusively perform classroom duties as classroom teachers are excluded from participating. Among those who may volunteer for the program: Classroom teachers of a Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (JROTC) program, current service members and current or former law enforcement officers.
It would also raise the minimum age to buy a gun in Florida to 21, require a 3-day waiting period and background checks for all purchases from licensed dealers, ban bump stocks and use $400 million in funding for mental health programs, school resource officers and school security upgrades including bulletproof glass.
Next up, the state House gets the bill. The Legislative Session wraps up on Friday.