Florida Bill Proposes Armed Church Volunteers as Alternative to Licensed Security

Florida lawmakers are advancing legislation that would allow houses of worship to use armed volunteers for security without requiring them to hold professional security licenses.

Senate Bill 52, which received unanimous approval in the Florida Senate earlier this month, aims to provide religious institutions with a more cost-effective security option amid growing concerns about targeted violence. The measure now awaits consideration in the state House.

“It’s now common for synagogues, churches, and mosques to have armed security,” said state Senator Don Gaetz, the bill’s sponsor, in comments to FOX 13. “Often using paid professional licensed security personnel.”

The proposed legislation comes against a backdrop of increasing violence targeting places of worship across the United States. Last August, a shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minnesota resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to approximately 20 others. In Mississippi, a recent arson attack severely damaged a synagogue and destroyed sacred Torah scrolls.

For religious leaders like Elvis Piggott, pastor at Triumph Church of Tampa, the financial burden of professional security has become significant. “It can get very costly,” Piggott told FOX 13. “Just for myself at an event could be roughly $900 to $1,000 for two hours.”

Piggott, who was arrested in October 2025 after allegedly drawing a gun during a dispute following a Tampa City Council election forum (he later claimed self-defense), acknowledged the unfortunate reality of security threats facing religious institutions. “Some of these things you would have never thought in a million years would happen inside of the place of worship,” he said.

Security experts have emphasized the importance of immediate response capabilities during emergencies. Aaron Chappell, co-founder of Vulture Training Group, which provides security guard certification and training, posed a critical question to FOX 13: “Do you want somebody who is five or six minutes away? Or somebody who’s on scene when something happens.”

The bill represents part of a growing national trend of religious institutions implementing security measures in response to threats. According to data from the FBI, hate crimes targeting religious organizations have increased significantly over the past decade, with attacks on synagogues, mosques, and churches drawing heightened concern from law enforcement agencies nationwide.

If approved by the House, the legislation would move to Governor Ron DeSantis’s desk. Should the Republican governor sign it into law, the changes would take effect in July, allowing religious institutions across Florida to implement volunteer security teams without the licensing requirements and associated costs of professional security personnel.

The proposal has attracted support from religious organizations representing various faiths, who view it as a necessary step to ensure the safety of worshippers while remaining financially viable. Critics, however, have raised questions about training standards and accountability for armed volunteers who would assume security responsibilities.

The unanimous Senate vote suggests strong bipartisan recognition of the security challenges facing religious institutions in an era of increasing targeted violence. The legislation’s progress through the Florida legislature reflects a broader societal debate about balancing security concerns with accessibility in places traditionally viewed as sanctuaries.

If enacted, Florida would join several other states that have implemented similar provisions allowing places of worship greater flexibility in addressing security concerns through volunteer-based approaches rather than exclusively relying on licensed professionals.