Protect Our Faith Communities Support HB95/SB52 Now!

Like many houses of worship in Florida, you may have armed safety volunteers in place, but did you know that your volunteers may not be protected? Even your church could face liability under Florida law.

What are Florida HB95/SB52?

Florida's SB 52 and HB 95, introduced in the 2026 legislative session as companion bills, both aim to enhance security at religious sites by exempting qualified volunteers from state licensure requirements for providing armed security services, addressing concerns over rising threats to places of worship while maintaining public safety standards. Sponsored by Sen. Don Gaetz in the Senate (with co-introducer Sen. Osgood) and Rep. J.J. Grow in the House (with co-introducers Reps. Barnaby, Plasencia, and Salzman).

Core Exemption: Both bills waive licensure for volunteers offering armed security at churches, places of worship, or denominational organizations under specific conditions, focusing on non-professional, unpaid roles.
Qualification Requirements: Exempt individuals must meet criteria such as background checks, CWFL licensing, and adherence to organizational protocols to ensure eligibility.
Broader Impact: Aims to empower faith communities to bolster self-protection amid increasing incidents of violence, balancing volunteer flexibility with accountability measures.

This isn't about expanding security—it's about removing barriers for those already committed to serving their faith communities.

Click to read each bill: House Bill 95 and Senate Bill 52.

Why We Need This!

Places of worship are increasingly targets. In 2024 alone, the FBI reported over 200 incidents of vandalism, threats, or violence against religious sites in the U.S., with Florida seeing a 25% spike. Our congregations, from small rural churches to urban mosques, can't all afford the thousands of dollars charged by professional security firms. These bills level the playing field:

Empowers Communities: Enables trained, licensed volunteers (think off-duty heroes from your pews) to protect without jumping through extra hoops.
Enhances Safety: By coordinating with local law enforcement, these bills prioritize responsibility over risk.
Upholds Freedom: Affirms the right of faith groups to self-defend, aligning with Florida's proud tradition of personal liberty.

In an era of rising threats to houses of worship, Florida families deserve the right to safeguard their sacred spaces with trusted volunteers without unnecessary red tape. Florida HB95/SB52 empowers qualified, background-checked volunteers to provide armed security at churches, mosques, synagogues, and other places of worship.

The Rising Threat: Key Statistics

*Data from the Family Research Council

National Statistics*

25 Hostile Incidents Against Florida Churches (Tied for 3rd highest in U.S.) | Zenit News

353 Antisemitic Incidents in Florida (Down 24% from 2023, but up 31% Since 2022) | ADL News

82 Bomb Threats Against Jewish Institutions in Florida (nearly unchanged from 2023) | Sun Sentinel

438 Islamophobia Complaints Received by CAIR-Florida (up 22% from 2023) | NBC Miami

Florida Statistics (sources linked)

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News & Updates...

11/10/25 | Florida man fired from job accused of threatening church attacks online: 'Gonna look like a genocide' | Fox News 🚨

10/15/25 | ‘High-risk targets’: New normal at churches, houses of worship after deadly attacks | Grand Rapids Herald-Review 🚨

10/10/25 | New normal at churches, houses of worship after deadly attacks | Reflector (APG) SB52

10/8/25 | Tampa-area congregations develop security teams after attacks at churches, synagogue | WUSF 🚨

10/2/25 | Florida bill would loosen rules for armed volunteers at places of worship | FOX 13 Tampa Bay SB52

9/30/25 | Florida lawmaker pushes bill to arm churches against violence | FOX10 Pensacola SB52

9/30/25 | Local church ramps up security after recent acts of violence across the nation | WJHG

9/19/25 | Florida bill would allow armed volunteers to protect churches, synagogues, mosques | Tallahassee Democrat SB52

9/19/25 | Florida bill proposes armed volunteers for church security | WESH SB52

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