Governor Ron DeSantis enacted HB 757 in Miami during the Commissioner’s Summit on school safety, marking a significant expansion of Florida’s security framework. The law builds on measures introduced after the 2018 Parkland shooting, which created the “guardian program” allowing trained staff to carry firearms in K‑12 schools.
Under the new law, college and university faculty and staff may now serve as armed guardians if appointed by their institution’s president and after completing 144 hours of specialized training overseen by local sheriffs. The legislation also requires campuses to adopt active assailant response plans, threat management teams, and family reunification protocols in case of emergencies.
HB 757 introduces a second‑degree felony for discharging a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school or campus, and mandates the transfer of student behavioral and psychological records from K‑12 schools to postsecondary institutions upon enrollment.
The law was prompted by the April 2025 shooting at Florida State University, where a student opened fire, killing two and injuring five. DeSantis argued that the expansion will deter attackers by ensuring campuses are no longer “gun‑free zones.”
Supporters say the measure strengthens Florida’s reputation as a national leader in school safety, with the state investing more than $3 billion in student security since 2018. Critics, including Moms Demand Action, warn that arming faculty dismantles gun‑free zones and could endanger students.
Context
HB 757 reflects Florida’s broader push to tighten campus security and equip institutions with tools to respond to active shooter threats. While praised by state officials as a proactive safeguard, the law has sparked debate over whether arming educators enhances safety or increases risks.
This legislation underscores DeSantis’s ongoing focus on public safety and education reform, positioning Florida as one of the few states to extend armed guardian programs into higher education.
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