This is general information, not legal advice.
Last reviewed: November 4, 2026.
This page quotes Florida statutes exactly as written, each with a link to the official text.
Concealed Carry on Religious Institutions' Property
Section 790.06(13), Florida Statutes (2026), whose provision on religious institutions took effect June 29, 2021, under Chapter 2021-200, Laws of Florida, reads:
(13) Notwithstanding any other law, for the purposes of safety, security, personal protection, or any other lawful purpose, a person licensed under this section may carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm on property owned, rented, leased, borrowed, or lawfully used by a church, synagogue, or other religious institution. This subsection does not limit the private property rights of a church, synagogue, or other religious institution to exercise control over property that the church, synagogue, or other religious institution owns, rents, leases, borrows, or lawfully uses.
Volunteer Armed Security at Places of Worship
Section 493.6102(16), Florida Statutes, effective July 1, 2026, under Chapter 2026-46, Laws of Florida (SB 52), reads with the section's opening words:
This chapter shall not apply to:
…
(16) Any person who, on a voluntary basis and without compensation, provides armed security services on the premises of a church, mosque, synagogue, or other place of worship.
Security Grants
Section 252.3712, Florida Statutes (2026), created effective July 1, 2023, by Chapter 2023-180, Laws of Florida and amended by Chapter 2023-352, reads in subsection (1):
(1) The division shall establish a Nonprofit Security Grant Program that shall consist of funds appropriated by the Legislature to nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, schools, museums, and community centers, that are at high risk for violent attacks or hate crimes. The grants may be used to increase security and safety, including, but not limited to:
(a) The purchase and installation of security infrastructure, perimeter lighting, materials for door hardening, security camera systems, perimeter fencing, barriers and bollards, and blast-resistant film and shatter-resistant glass for windows.
(b) Hiring security personnel.
(c) Training for security personnel and staff on threat awareness, emergency procedures, and first aid.
The federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program is run by FEMA. Nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship, apply through their state's administrative agency; in Florida, that is the Division of Emergency Management.
Talk to an attorney licensed in your state about your church's situation.
Sources
Each source below is an official government page, read on November 4, 2026.
- Section 790.06, Florida Statutes (2026)
- Section 493.6102, Florida Statutes (2026)
- Section 252.3712, Florida Statutes (2026)
- The Florida Senate: HB 259 (2021), Chapter 2021-200
- The Florida Senate: SB 52 (2026), Chapter 2026-46
- The Florida Senate: SB 1480 (2023), Chapter 2023-180
- FEMA, Nonprofit Security Grant Program
- Florida Division of Emergency Management, Nonprofit Security Grant Program application guide
Trenton J. Reagan is the founder of ChurchSecurityPlanner, a former youth pastor and church security team member. He was trained in church protection protocols by law enforcement and military professionals and has a lifelong background in firearms training and tactical preparedness. ChurchSecurityPlanner was built in response to a direct request from his father, Pastor Clint Reagan of Calvary Chapel Knoxville — a congregation of 5,000 — who needed a comprehensive tool to manage his security teams.