Florida Bill Exempts Church Security from Private Security Regulations

AmmoLand ^ | February 25,2026 | Dean Weingarten

[marktwain]

The Florida Legislature is close to reforming the requirements for voluntary armed security in churches. The bill exempts voluntary church security members who have concealed carry permits from the requirements of Florida statutes that regulate the members of private security services. Private investigative, security, and repossession services are regulated under Chapter 493 of the Florida Statutes. Section 6102 spells out who the provisions of the chapter shall not apply to.

HB 95 has cleared its House committees and was added to the House Second Reading Calendar on Feb. 10, 2026. SB 52 passed the Senate 39–0 on Feb. 11, 2026, and has been sent to the House.

The Florida Legislature is poised to pass HB 95/ SB 52. The bills are similar, while the Senate version is slightly broader, covering multiple houses of worship. Senate bill, SB 52, has passed the Senate committees and the Senate unanimously. The near-identical House bill, HB 95, has been unanimously passed by the House committees and is ready to be presented to the full House for a vote. A few members of the committees were absent during committee votes.

The bill makes a relatively minor change to the regulation of church security. Unarmed church security was exempt from regulation. This bill exempts volunteer church security who have concealed carry permits from the regulations of Florida statutes.

The previous paragraph 13 of Section 493.6102 will not be changed:

 (13) Any individual employed as a security officer by a church or ecclesiastical or denominational organization having an established physical place of worship in this state at which nonprofit religious services and activities are regularly conducted or by a church cemetery to provide security on the property of the organization or cemetery, and who does not carry a firearm in the course of her or his duties.

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TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Government; News/Current Events; US: Florida
KEYWORDS: banglist; church; fl; security

[marktwain]

A relatively small but positive change.

[bk1000]

More at our church carry than don’t. No need to hire security.
Sad to think that the one place I really feel the need to carry these days is church.

[Resolute Conservative]

Hard to celebrate something that still interferes with our 2nd amendment right to carry, but it is better than being more restrictive I guess.

[jimfr]

What is the change?

[Obadiah]

I’m confused about exactly what is being changed.

[marktwain]

The bill makes a relatively minor change to the regulation of church security. Unarmed church security was exempt from regulation. This bill exempts volunteer church security who have concealed carry permits from the regulations of Florida statutes.

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The bill adds volunteer church members who have concealed carry permits to the list of people who are exempt from the private security firm Florida regulations.

[Qiviut]

Unarmed church security was exempt from regulation under the old bill.

This bill exempts volunteer church security who have concealed carry permits from the regulations of Florida statutes.

[Obadiah]

Well to those of us on a church security force this would represent an important and meaningful change.

[dagunk]

Well to those of us on a church security force this would represent an important and meaningful change.

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Agreed.

Previously security had to be provided by licensed security outfits. That can get expensive real quick, locking smaller organizations out of providing security.

This is an intelligent fix to a difficult requirement.

Or - just conceal carry into church and don’t tell anybody. Two or three strategically-placed carriers is good, just don’t tell the preacher so he won’t get in trouble.

[dware]

I’m curious whatever happened to that whole “make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof”?

[Obadiah]

A specific issue arises with a church like ours which has a K-8 school on the campus along with a state law that prohibits firearms within 1K feet of a school. Yes, you could conceal carry, but if you are forced to draw your weapon you are risking a whole lot of additional legal jeopardy.

[Qiviut]

If in FL.

[Obadiah]

Yes, understood.

[bobbo666]

Not small, necessary.

SCOTUS just ruled that if any area sets up gun-free zones they must also set up extra security.

So, if a church says you can’t legally carry they have to have armed guards.

[ridesthemiles]

EXCELLENT