On July 1, 2026, Florida Senate Bill 52 took effect. For the first time, the law clearly authorized lay volunteers — designated by their place of worship, holding a valid Florida CWL — to serve as armed security inside the sanctuary. The Tampa Bay area has hundreds of congregations, the law is fresh, and most leadership teams are still working out what to do with it.
What SB 52 says, at a high level
SB 52 amends F.S. 790.06 and 790.115 to clarify that the existing prohibition on firearms at places of worship does not apply to volunteers who have been designated in writing by the institution and who hold a valid Florida CWL. The institution remains responsible for who it designates and is expected to have a written security plan in place.
What SB 52 does not say
The law authorizes designation. It does not define how much training a volunteer needs beyond the CWL, how the team should be structured, or what the security plan should look like. Those decisions fall to the institution — which is where most congregations need outside help.
What a real safety team generally looks like
A safety team is more than "the CWL holders in the front row." Most workable teams have layered roles — greeters and observers at the doors, floor coverage inside the sanctuary, a small group of designated armed responders, and a pastoral or 911 liaison. The specific structure depends on your facility, your services, and your congregation. We work out the structure with you during planning.
The training picture
A church safety team is built on layered training, not a single weekend seminar. At a high level: every designated armed volunteer needs a current Florida CWL, baseline use-of-force and pistol training, and ongoing drills. Emergency medical training is strongly recommended for the team as a whole. Our Church & Group Safety Seminar is custom-quoted to fit your facility and team size.
Schedule a planning call for your congregation.
Request a QuoteThe written security plan
SB 52 expects a documented plan. It does not have to be a 50-page binder, but it should at least cover: who is designated and in what role, roles during normal services vs. incidents, communication protocols, emergency action plans, training requirements, insurance and liability, and coordination with local law enforcement. We help congregations build the plan during the seminar.
Next steps for your congregation
Most congregations start with a single planning call — no commitment. We walk through SB 52, your facility, and where you are today. From there we recommend a training path that fits your team and your budget.
Most congregations start with a single planning call. No commitment.
Schedule a Planning Call
