In the state of Florida, teachers are now allowed to carry firearms in the classroom. According to the US media, a law passed in May entered into force on 1 October. However, as the Miami Herald recently reported, only 11 out of more than 130 school districts actually armed their teachers. 39 districts announced their participation in the so-called "Guardian" program, a prerequisite for arming teachers.
Florida's House of Representatives, after hours of debate at the beginning of May, voted to allow school districts to arm teachers if they had previously attended a 144-hour training course. For the training, participants of the program also receive a reward, according to the New York Times.
The law was passed in response to the killing spree at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland with 17 dead and as many injured.
Studio Hamburg / NDR
How many and which teachers in Florida are actually carrying a gun is not recorded by the state, according to the Miami Herald. In mid-September, the newspaper reported that 1084 people were registered as "guardians" (German: Wächter) at the schools. However, this also included security personnel who do not undertake any teaching activities.
US President Donald Trump and the National Rifle Association (NRA) supported the law: An armed teacher is the best defense against gunmen.
Opponents of the law had warned against the danger that a teacher in an emergency situation could hit another student or the police could hold an armed teacher for the attacker. In addition, further force of arms is not a solution.
