TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) - Arming school employees, expanding background checks and revamping the 'Baker Act Law' to keep guns from people experiencing mental-health issues, were among measures discussed by lawmakers Tuesday.
The workshop was one of three similar meetings organized by Governor Rick Scott's office in response to the mass shooting last week.
Law enforcement officials say it's not their job to tell educators how to teach, but it's their responsibility to advocate security to state lawmakers and local government officials.
Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd talked about expanding his "Sentinel Program," which enables authorized and trained employees at the private Southeastern University in Lakeland to carry concealed firearms.
"It's much better, that if there's going to be a gun on campus, that it is with a trained person to stop the shooter," Judd said. "The only thing worse than having a shootout on a campus is not being able to stop a shooter on campus."
Coconut Creek Police Chief Butch Arenal says not every district may be open to the idea of arming educational staff, as people clamor to improve school safety.
"The public, I feel personally, is not going to tolerate anything less than security for their school now," Arenal said. "I'm not talking long-term solutions, or legislative solutions, but tomorrow."
The officers also spoke of "two gaping loopholes" in the Baker Act.
One stating, law enforcement can't take guns away from people who make threats of violence, the other deals with people being released from mental health facilities can purchase firearms.
