Florida lawmakers have passed legislation allowing trained faculty and staff to carry firearms on public college and university campuses, sending the measure to Ron DeSantis for final approval.

The bill, HB 757, expands the state’s existing guardian program, created after the 2018 Parkland school shooting, to include postsecondary institutions. The Republican-controlled legislature approved the measure with strong GOP support, with the House voting 88-20 and the Senate 26-10.

Under the proposal, colleges and universities may designate employees as armed guardians to respond to active shooter situations. Participants must complete a 144-hour training program that includes firearms instruction, scenario-based exercises, legal education, and defensive tactics. Candidates are also required to pass psychological evaluations, drug testing, and ongoing annual training.

Those selected would not be law enforcement officers and would not have arrest authority, but they would be permitted to carry firearms and intervene during emergencies. Local county sheriffs would oversee training and certification.

The legislation gained momentum following a shooting at Florida State University last year, as well as ongoing concerns about campus safety nationwide. Supporters argue that placing trained personnel on campus provides a faster response in critical situations where seconds matter.

In addition to expanding the guardian program, the bill requires colleges to implement active shooter response plans, establish threat assessment teams, and increase access to mental health resources. It also creates a new felony offense for discharging a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school during school activities, with limited exceptions such as lawful self-defense.

State officials backing the measure say it strengthens campus security while maintaining strict training and oversight standards. Opponents, however, have raised concerns about the risks of introducing more firearms into higher education environments.

The bill is expected to be signed into law, marking a significant expansion of Florida’s approach to school safety.