Protecting Our Faith Communities: SB 52 is Now Law!
Florida SB 52 is Now Law!
I am thrilled to share that Florida Senate Bill 52 (SB 52) sponsored by Senator Don Gaetz, and which we worked together to advance through SecureFLWorship.com, officially took effect today, July 1, 2026.
This new law provides a clear exemption from professional security licensure requirements for volunteers who provide armed security services at churches, synagogues, mosques, and other houses of worship—on a voluntary, unpaid basis and limited to the premises.
Thanks to this commonsense reform, faith communities across Florida—especially smaller congregations—now have greater flexibility to protect their people without the high costs of licensed security. Our shared goal has always been safer worship environments where our faith communities can gather freely and without fear.
I want to thank every faith leader who prayed, contacted legislators, and stood with us. It has been an incredible journey and your partnership made this victory possible.
May God continue to guard and bless your ministries as we steward these new opportunities faithfully. Thank you again for your partnership in seeing this bill passed.
Watch here for updates as these bills move through the Florida State Legislature.
3-11-26 | SB 52/HB 95 passes House floor vote (111-1) and sent to Governor's desk.
2-10-26 | HB 95 advanced unanimously (17-0) in the House Judiciary Committee
2-5-26 | HB 95 advanced unanimously (16-0) in the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee
2-3-26 | SB 52 advanced unanimously (23-0) in the Senate Rules Committee
1-28-26 | HB 95 advanced unanimously (17-0) in the House Criminal Justice committee
1-20-26 | SB 52 advanced unanimously (9-0) in the Senate Judiciary Committee
1-12-26 | SB 52 advanced unanimously (8-0) in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee
The Rising Threat: Key Statistics
*Data from the Family Research Council
National Statistics*
25 Hostile Incidents Against Florida Churches (Tied for 3rd highest in U.S.) | Zenit News
353 Antisemitic Incidents in Florida (Down 24% from 2023, but up 31% Since 2022) | ADL News
82 Bomb Threats Against Jewish Institutions in Florida (nearly unchanged from 2023) | Sun Sentinel
438 Islamophobia Complaints Received by CAIR-Florida (up 22% from 2023) | NBC Miami
Florida Statistics (sources linked)
Contact Your Legislators
Find your state rep and senator to send a quick message urging support for SB 52.
What is at Stake?
Understand why the exemption is needed and what you can do to help.
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News & Updates...
1/14/26 | New York Senator Pushes for More Church Security After Crimes, Vandalism at Catholic Parishes | The NY State Senate
1/14/26 | Sheriff speaks on standoff at Pickens home (suspect attempted force entry into a church) | Pickens County Courier 🚨
1/13/26 | Bill Seeks to Aid Church Security | ABC 13 SB52
1/7/26 | Man arrested after disrupting church service | The Herald Citizen 🚨
1/1/26 | Bomb Threat Investigated at Temple Shalom in Port Charlotte, Florida | InformationAware 🚨
12/31/25 | Shots Fired into Mount Sinai Full Gospel Deliverance Center in Winston-Salem; Security Officer Injured | FOX 8 🚨
12/22/25 | Stabbing Suspect Disarmed by Parishioners at Pryor Church of Christ in Pryor, Oklahoma | InformationAware 🚨
12/23/25 | Religious Institutions Across US Enhance Security Measures Amid Rising Violent Incidents | The National Desk
11/10/25 | Florida man fired from job accused of threatening church attacks online: 'Gonna look like a genocide' | Fox News 🚨
10/15/25 | ‘High-risk targets’: New normal at churches, houses of worship after deadly attacks | Grand Rapids Herald-Review 🚨
10/10/25 | New normal at churches, houses of worship after deadly attacks | Reflector (APG) SB52
10/8/25 | Tampa-area congregations develop security teams after attacks at churches, synagogue | WUSF 🚨
10/2/25 | Florida bill would loosen rules for armed volunteers at places of worship | FOX 13 Tampa Bay SB52
9/30/25 | Florida lawmaker pushes bill to arm churches against violence | FOX10 Pensacola SB52
9/30/25 | Local church ramps up security after recent acts of violence across the nation | WJHG
9/19/25 | Florida bill would allow armed volunteers to protect churches, synagogues, mosques | Tallahassee Democrat SB52
9/19/25 | Florida bill proposes armed volunteers for church security | WESH SB52
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We're a grassroots coalition of Florida faith leaders, veterans, and Second Amendment advocates dedicated to passing HB95/SB52. Our mission is to help faith communities protect what matters most without government overreach.
Contact: info@secureFLworship.com
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