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Florida bill would let churches use armed volunteers instead of licensed security

A Florida bill would allow churches, synagogues and mosques to use armed volunteers for security instead of costly licensed guards amid rising violence concerns.

AFloridabillcouldallowchurches,synagogues,mosquesandotherplacesofworshiptousearmedvolunteersforsecuritywithoutrequiringthemtoholdaprofessionalsecuritylicense. SenateBill52,whichunanimouslypassedthechamberearlierthismonth,wouldauthorizehousesofworshiptousearmedvolunteersinsteadofhiringlicensedsecurityguards,whichsupporterssaywouldhelpcutcostswhilestillkeepingpeoplesafe. “It’snowcommonforsynagogues,churchesandmosquestohavearmedsecurity,”stateSen.DonGaetz,whosponsoredthismeasure,saidtoFOX13.“Oftenusingpaidprofessionallicensedsecuritypersonnel.” SHOOTINGOUTSIDESALTLAKECITYLDSCHURCHLEAVESATLEAST2DEAD,6INJURED:POLICE ThelegislationnowheadstothestateHouse. Thismeasurecomesamidconcernsaboutviolencetargetingplacesofworshipacrossthecountry.InAugust,ashootingatAnnunciationCatholicChurchinMinnesotalefttwochildrendeadandaround20ot