Gov. Ron DeSantis signed a bill expanding the state's school guardian program to permit school faculty and staff to carry concealed firearms at public colleges and universities.
Moreover, the bill (HB 757) requires Florida sheriffs to assist in the implementation of the program.
"It's going to make our state colleges safer than they already are," DeSantis said while speaking at a press conference in Miami this week.. "It's going to require public post-secondary institutions without an existing public safety reporting application to implement our Fortify Florida for something comparable by July 1, 2026."
The bill also requires institutions to advertise the platform on their campus websites and install it on their mobile devices issued by the school.
HB 757 comes after an active shooter at Florida State University last April. Gov. DeSantis also referenced the legislation as an addition to safety measures made earlier in his tenure after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in Parkland in 2018.
Florida has invested over $3 billion in student safety under the governor.
In addition, HB 757 introduces a criminal offense for discharging a firearm within 1000 feet of a college campus.
"For unlawful use, you're going to face stiffer penalties when you do this near our institutions," DeSantis said.
HB 757 also requires schools to have an emergency response plan in case of an active shooter, including mental health assistance and active shooter training. Furthermore, the bill establishes a family reunification plan in the event of a shooting.
"We've taken this more seriously than probably anybody else has done, certainly in our state's history. It's been a high priority, and this continues that momentum," DeSantis said.
Reps. Michelle Salzman (R-Escambia County) and Alex Rizo (R-Miami) sponsored the bill in the House. Sen. Don Gaetz (R-Pensacola) sponsored a similar bill in the Senate.
