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Florida House Passes Bill That Allows Arming Teachers

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/AP) — In response to last year's mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, state lawmakers have passed a bill that would allow more classroom teachers to carry guns in school.

The Republican-led House voted 65-47 on Wednesday to send the bill to Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who is expected to sign it. The measure expands an existing school "guardian" program to allow any teacher to volunteer to carry a weapon if their local school district approves.

Teachers who want to carry guns would have to undergo police-style training and undergo a psychiatric evaluation. Under current law, only teachers who also have another role, such as sports coach, are eligible to carry weapons on campus.

(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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