New Florida law allows armed volunteers to guard churches, raising concerns

FORT MYERS, Fla. (WINK)—A new Florida law will allow armed volunteers to provide security at places of worship, but some people have concerns.

Some people say having guns in a church makes them feel uneasy, but others say it's about safety. WINK News visited a church in Fort Myers to see how it'll work and why they say it's needed.

Safety starts before service at the church. Volunteers watch the grounds, the doors and the sanctuary.

Eddie Hardin helps lead worship and says protection is part of the mission.

"I do believe that even in a place of worship, the parishioners have the ability to be protected too," Hardin said.

He says times have changed and churches had to adapt. Hardin says it's become necessary so that people can feel comfortable, even in places like this, where they don't have to worry about their lives.

Under the new law, volunteers don't need professional security licenses. But they still need a concealed carry permit, pass a background check and get approval from the local sheriff's office for a formal security plan.

James Howard with Trinity Security Allies trains churches nationwide.

"It gives church volunteers the right to kind of call themselves security teams without having to go through the training necessary to be a security guard," Howard said.

But he says the law doesn't change responsibility.

"We have to follow the state law of use of force, and that's where we work with that, because we have the right to protect us or other people, which is always what we've been doing," Howard said.

Hardin says he knows guns in church can be uncomfortable. But he says to not be afraid of that, because they want to make sure everybody's protected.

Under state law, every place of worship can decide if a safety team is right for them. The law takes effect July 1.