School Safety Debate

Florida Teachers Train with Firearms

Video from Highlands County Sheriff's Office shows educators undergoing weapons training as part of state program allowing armed school staff to respond to active shooter situations

Gila Isaacson, Kikar Hashabbat

AUG 19, 2026 13:08

2 min read

School Massacres: Police Training Teachers to Use Guns

Following a series of deadly school shootings across the United States, state and local education authorities have sought ways to enable school staff to respond quickly in the event of an armed attacker.

Florida has developed a dedicated framework for this purpose: the Guardian program, which allows certain school employees to undergo comprehensive training, receive certification, and carry firearms as part of their role protecting students.

A video released by the Highlands County Sheriff's Office shows teachers participating in drills simulating emergency scenarios, alongside weapons training exercises.

The footage has attracted attention on social media because it concretely illustrates a new reality that has emerged in parts of the American education system: staff members whose primary role is teaching also receive training designed to enable them to confront an armed attacker during an assault.

But in Florida, this involves far more than a one-time training session. According to state requirements, anyone seeking to serve as a Guardian must undergo a screening and training process that includes 144 hours of instruction and certification by the sheriff's office. The program places significant emphasis on firearms proficiency and preparation for attack scenarios.

Supporters of the approach argue that during a shooting incident, every second counts, and an armed staff member already inside the school may be able to respond before police arrive.