One-year after 17 people were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Republicans are once again pushing a bill through the Florida Legislature that would arm teachers, despite the majority of Floridians opposing the idea. The bill, which passed on party lines in Committee Tuesday, would expand the so-called “Guardian Program”, which legislative staffers yesterday publicly admitted has done nothing to protect students in the nine counties where it’s already been implemented.
Nearly one year ago, lawmakers stood on the floor of the Florida Legislature and wept while they debated how they should respond to the Feb. 14 Parkland massacre. In the House, the debate lasted eight hours.
After the proposal to allow teachers to carry guns sparked a backlash, lawmakers chose to arm some school personnel but not classroom instructors.
This year, lawmakers have revived the idea of arming teachers — and it is gaining support. Yet while Republican lawmakers are building a consensus on arming teachers, staunch opposition to the idea remains elsewhere in Florida.
Polls have shown a majority of Floridians oppose more guns in schools, and the statewide teachers’ union is categorically against it.
However, despite such sentiments to curb guns, Senate Bill 7030 appears to have a clear path to passage. That’s because unlike last year, the state’s Republican leaders are unified in their push to allow teachers to be armed in school.
Meanwhile, Florida Democratic lawmakers announced on Tuesday their legislative agenda to curb gun violence. This session alone Democrats have introduced 13 different bills, including universal background checks, and a ban on assault weapons.
