PENSACOLA, Fla. — A local Florida lawmaker is proposing a new bill to keep places of worship more secure during services.
That new proposal could change the way churches handle security. This new bill would allow churches to take security measures into their own hands.
It could make it easier for places of worship to have in-house armed security teams. WEAR News looked into what this change would mean for local religious organizations.
Leaders of churches, synagogues, mosques and others feel security is necessary in places of worship.
“We’re living in some perilous times where the church is a sanctuary still, but then to some people is not a sanctuary or a holy place,” said C. Marcel Davis, pastor of Adoration For A New Beginning. “So we have to be able to protect our parishioners that will come into worship service or just come to meetings in general.”
Senator Don Gaetz says he is introducing new legislation to make it easier for these places to feel more secure.
“Now, the law is a little bit gray and churches that are not license to use armed security teams may be in some sort of danger somehow of being cited,” Gaetz said. “And so, consequently, this clears up the law and says security teams are not only legal but they’re acceptable and here’s how they work.”
Currently religious organizations have only a couple of options when it comes to securing their properties. One is to hire off-duty law enforcement officers or get a state security license to allow a volunteer group to be armed. This comes with costs that some churches can’t afford.
“From the scripture, we have to watch and pray,” said Davis. “And for some churches that are small like ours, we didn’t have a budget to have a security team or to have on-site.”
The bill requires volunteers to follow a sheriff-approved security plan, complete a background check and hold a valid Florida concealed weapon or firearm license. But the church would not have to have the state security license.
“So this is expanding gun rights and making it clear that, unfortunately, our houses of worship who want to be protected have to have a way of being protected and have the state approve it,” Gatez said.
Gaetz hopes his bill will be put to a vote next legislative session, which begins in January.
WEAR News reached out to nearly two dozen places of worship looking for reaction. Most did not respond to my calls.
However, the Diocese of Pensacola Tallahassee did respond saying it values its relationship with law enforcement agencies who are professionally trained for such responsibilities.
