A first-of-its-kind “school marshal” program — which would allow teachers to carry guns on campus — moved one step closer to becoming a reality on Tuesday as Florida legislators approved the idea for the second day in a row.
“The last line of defense would be a highly trained person in the school,” Republican state Rep. Jose Oliva told the Miami Herald following a House committee vote.
“What it does is create a level of preparedness that we should have in the event a threat level rises and a superintendent decides that I think now maybe we would like to have this program,” he said.
The state’s House Appropriations Committee voted 23-6 to approve a bill that would allow the “school marshal” program to be implemented — should superintendents and the school board approve and deem it necessary.
“It’s a game changer,” House Speaker Richard Corcoran told the Tallahassee Democrat after the vote.
A similar bill — which requires the local sheriff to sign off on the marshal program, as well — was approved Monday by the Senate Rules Committee.
An amendment banning “assault” weapons was shot down by House legislators. It was also rejected by the Senate.
Survivors of the Parkland massacre showed up once again in Tallahassee on Tuesday to push for stricter gun control, but their cries apparently fell on deaf ears.
“We are here so a kindergartener can go back to school and I don’t cry when I drop off my son, a sophomore, at school,” said one parent, who testified before the House committee.
Relatives and loved ones reportedly spent more than four hours stating their case.
“I want no one to feel the pain in my body,” said Andrew Pollack, a grieving father who lost his daughter in the Feb. 14 shooting.
“People are furious,” added Rep. Carlos Guillermo (D-Orlando). “Two-thirds of those polled want an assault weapons ban. Nearly 70 percent said they don’t want teachers armed. And what are we going to do? Armed teachers and keep assault weapons —this is why people hate politics.”
The “school marshal” program is part of a packaged set of bills being offered up in the wake of the Parkland massacre. It will now go to the House floor, while its sister legislation in the Senate still has to make one more committee stop.
Florida lawmakers are expected to be in session until March 9.