Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 757—a new law that expands the K-12 armed guardian program to Florida’s higher education instititions—during the 5th Annual Commissioner’s Summit held at Wolfson Campus on May 14.
The bill allows Florida state colleges and universities to participate in the Chris Hixon, Coach Aaron Feis and Coach Scott Beigel Guardian Program.
It was established in 2018 following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting where 17 people were killed and 17 others were injured.
The new bill means that institutions such as Miami Dade College can authorize specially trained individuals to carry firearms on campus and respond to an active assailant.
Other provisions in the bill include a requirement for schools to create response plans for active assailants, threat management teams and procedures for reunifying families in the event of an emergency.
Additionally, it is now a second-degree felony to shoot a firearm within 1,000 feet of a school.
“Every student deserves the opportunity to learn in a safe and secure environment, and this legislation reinforces Florida’s unwavering commitment to protect our schools,” said Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas.
The bill comes in the wake of two gun-related incidents that occurred at the Hialeah and Homestead campuses in the last six months.
On the morning of March 9, a 21-year-old man was arrested for having previously left a firearm in a restroom at Homestead Campus.
That same day, a 23-year-old was arrested for brandishing a firearm during a verbal confrontation in the parking garage at Hialeah Campus.
“I’m in favor of the bill and what it offers to the College,” said Homestead Campus Public Safety Chief Henry Sacramento.
Both Hialeah Campus President Georgette Perez and Homestead Campus Interim President Beverly Moore-Garcia did not comment on the bill.
It is unclear whether the College will adopt the concept of armed guardians across its eight campuses. When asked via e-mail, College President Madeline Pumariega responded with the following:
“The College’s approach relies on a comprehensive security infrastructure that includes College Public Safety personnel, off-duty law enforcement officers assigned throughout our campuses, advanced security technologies, and strong partnerships with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies.”
She later added: “The College will continue to monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of guardian programs implemented at other institutions and any evolving state guidance as we determine our next steps.”
According to Pumariega, MDC does have “active assailant response protocols, threat assessment and management processes, emergency preparedness procedures, and family reunification plans as part of its comprehensive approach to campus safety.”
Click here to subscribe to our bi-weekly newsletter, The Hammerhead. For news tips, contact us at mdc.thereporter@gmail.com.
