Florida Senate passes bill that will allow some trained teacher to carry guns in schools

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) - The Florida Senate passed a bill that will expand a program that allows some teachers to carry guns in schools.

The Senate passed a school safety bill 22-17 on Tuesday that makes changes to a law enacted last year after 17 people were killed by a former student at a Parkland high school.

While the bill addresses several school safety issues, the most contentious is a provision that makes all teachers eligible for the "guardian program" that allows them to carry guns in schools. Right now, only teachers that have a role outside the classroom, such as an athletic coach, can participate.

School districts would have to approve participation in the program and teachers would have to volunteer, undergo psychological evaluations and be trained by a sheriff's office.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.