TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — A controversial bill allowing school systems to designate employees to carry guns in K-12 schools is advancing in the Florida Legislature and getting support or neutrality from some who opposed it in the past, including the Florida School Board Association.
A House education subcommittee approved the bill Wednesday with only one "no" vote. Three committee members who opposed it last year voted in favor.
Opponents say only trained law enforcement officers known as school resource officers should be allowed to carry guns in schools.
Backers say providing those officers for every school in Florida is far too expensive.
The bill requires training and background checks for those designated to carry guns. It says they must be former or current law enforcement officers or military personnel in good standing.
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