Florida Church Protection Act

Everyone hopes they never have to use a firearm, however you must be able to defend your family without being a risk to your church, temple, or synagogue.

A church safety team is the best way to de-escalate situations and to minister to broken and hurting people. But if a problem escalates the best chance to protect innocent bystanders is a well-trained volunteer.

The Florida Church Protection Act MUST BE PASSED. If the law isn't passed, the members of the Legislature who vote against it will own it, and if a church and their members suffer the consequences of NOT having this protection, it will be the fault of the Legislature. ALSO, and just as important - The Legislature needs to specifically allow armed church security team members (volunteers, paid, or law enforcement) to be armed at a church facility that is used as a school during the week, but is not used as such at night and on the weekends. This is a gray area in the law that needs to be fixed, ASAP. Thank you for your attention to this very important matter.

Security, First Baptist Church at the Mall

I don't want what happened at a school in Florida to happen at any school or church again. I will remain proactive to do so at my church. Please help me to do so.

Imagine a world where charity and common sense was the norm, selfishness and greed was not tolerated.

If God fearing people do not stand up and help run our country, do you really want the alternative's to do so?

We must allow churches the right to protect themselves without fear of being sued.

In view of current happenings I earnestly request your le vote tpport the passing of this request.

I am a deacon at Griffin Baptist Church in Lakeland. We are currently trying to form a safety team for our church.

Necessary

I am a leader and safety team member at New Day Christian Church, Port Charlotte Fl

Pastor Steven Brodie Children’s/Youth/Family Pastor Nextlevel Church-Holiday,Fl

With the attacks against churches on the rise, it is time to take some proactive stance in this regard. We need to have the trained and armed person in the church to help protect members attending there. We can't wait until we have another shooting and then do something.

Parking Team Leader @ New Walk Church

protect my church

Churchs must me considered private property. While the 1st amendment secures the freedom of worship, the 2nd the right to bear arms, churches must not be caught in the cross hairs. A strength of the church is it's willingness to Welcome All who cross their threshold. This welcoming with open arms is also an invitation for those looking to bring harm to a church and it's membership. Viewed historically as a place of sanctuary and refuge, the church must now receive the protection it has offered so many in the past. Irrespective of it's denominational orientation, a church, a center of worship deserves this right to be granted by the law. Even in the aftermath of a active shooter event, a house of worship will continue to reach out to the flock including those who would dwell in the darkness so that light may come to them.

Protecting lives should be protected.

We should be protected against prosecution for protecting innocent lives who choose to worship as they choose and are not able to defend themselves. I fully agree with this petition and the guidelines presented as to training and record keeping in the event of a law suite. Micah Warren Executive Pastor, Faith Baptist Church

Volunteer men's minister Generations Christian Church Spring Hill