Trained guardians can now carry guns on Florida university campuses

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed **HB 757** into law on May 15, permitting trained guardians to carry firearms on public college and university campuses. The bill, sponsored by Rep. Michelle Salzman and Sen. Don Gaetz, expands the state’s existing K-12 guardian program, which was established after the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. The legislation follows the 2023 Florida State University shooting, where two were killed and six injured, prompting lawmakers to consult with university officials, professors, and students to address campus safety concerns. The law requires universities to adopt active assailant response plans, establish threat management teams, and conduct annual security risk assessments. Participation in the guardian program remains optional, with schools deciding which employees may undergo firearm and de-escalation training. County sheriffs will oversee psychological screenings and annual re-qualification for guardians. Additional measures include improved campus alert systems, reunification procedures for families, and updated emergency response plans. Supporters argue the bill strengthens prevention and response efforts, filling security gaps where law enforcement staffing may be limited. Critics, however, have raised concerns about the potential risks of armed individuals on campuses. The legislation also introduces new criminal penalties, including fines for discharging a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school. DeSantis emphasized the guardian program’s role in deterring violence, stating that armed staff would put 'bad guys on the defense.' Sen. Gaetz highlighted the need for common-sense safeguards to protect students, citing recent campus shootings across the U.S. The bill blends mental health training with armed-staff programs, aiming to create a multi-layered approach to campus security. Florida Education Commissioner Anastasios 'Stasi' Kamoutsas and Ryan Petty, whose daughter Alaina was killed in the Parkland shooting, attended the signing ceremony. The law marks the most significant shift in Florida’s campus security policies since the 2018 Stoneman Douglas tragedy.