Florida Moves to Let Churches Protect Themselves Without Red Tape

## When Common Sense Meets Real Threats

Here’s something that shouldn’t be controversial but probably will be anyway: Florida’s Senate Bill 52, which passed unanimously earlier this month, would let churches, synagogues, and mosques use armed volunteers for security without forcing them to get professional security licenses. And you know what? It’s about time.

State Sen. Don Gaetz, who sponsored the measure, put it plainly. Houses of worship already have armed security. This isn’t some radical new concept we’re testing out. The difference is that right now, many are shelling out serious money for licensed professionals when their own congregants could do the job just as well.

The bill now heads to the state House, and it deserves to pass there too.

## The Reality Nobody Wants to Talk About

Look, we live in a world where places of worship have become targets. That’s not fear mongering. That’s just reality staring us in the face.

Last August, a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minnesota left two children dead and around 20 others injured. Two children. Let that sink in for a moment. And just last month in Mississippi, someone set fire to a synagogue, destroying sacred Torah scrolls and causing extensive damage. These aren’t isolated incidents anymore. They’re a pattern.

The question isn’t whether churches need security. That debate ended years ago. The real question is whether we’re going to let bureaucratic licensing requirements prevent good people from protecting their own communities.

## The Economics of Faith and Safety

Here’s where this gets practical. Professional security isn’t cheap. For smaller congregations operating on tight budgets, hiring licensed guards can mean choosing between keeping people safe and keeping the lights on. That’s not a choice any church should have to make.

Armed volunteers solve this problem elegantly. Many congregations already have members with military or law enforcement backgrounds. Others have responsible gun owners who’ve trained extensively. Why should these people need to jump through expensive licensing hoops just to volunteer their time protecting their own faith community?

The free market conservative in me loves this. You’re cutting costs, reducing regulatory burden, and empowering local communities to handle their own security. That’s the kind of limited government approach that actually works.

## Trust and Training

Now, some folks will worry about untrained volunteers playing security guard. Fair concern. But let’s be honest about what we’re really talking about here. We’re not suggesting churches hand out guns to anyone who shows up on Sunday morning.

Responsible congregations will vet their volunteers. They’ll ensure proper training happens. They’ll establish protocols and chains of command. You know why? Because they have every incentive to get this right. Nobody cares more about protecting a congregation than the congregation itself.

That’s the beauty of individual liberty paired with personal responsibility. When you trust people to make decisions for their own communities, they usually rise to the occasion. Government licensing requirements often create a false sense of security anyway. A piece of paper doesn’t guarantee competence or dedication.

## The Bigger Picture

This bill represents something larger than just church security. It’s about recognizing that Americans have both the right and the responsibility to protect themselves and their communities. It’s about understanding that government can’t be everywhere, and frankly, shouldn’t try to be.

Traditional values matter here too. Houses of worship are foundational institutions in American life. They’re where communities gather, where families worship, where children learn moral principles. Protecting these spaces isn’t just practical. It’s preserving something essential about who we are as a people.

Florida’s getting this one right. Other states should be watching closely and following suit. Because when threats are real and resources are limited, common sense beats bureaucracy every single time.

The legislation moves forward with bipartisan support, which tells you something. Even in our divided political climate, protecting people at prayer still matters to everyone. That’s worth celebrating, even as we acknowledge the sad reality that made this bill necessary in the first place.

American Conservatives