Florida voters oppose arming teachers and support police working with immigration authorities

Strong majorities of Florida voters in a poll released Wednesday support requiring local law enforcement in the state to work with federal immigration authorities and oppose allowing teachers, even with training, to carry guns in schools.

The findings come from a Quinnipiac University poll that asked Florida voters for their views on a range of issues.

Guns

Allowing trained teachers and school officials to carry guns on school grounds is opposed by 57 percent of Florida voters and supported by 40 percent.

Quinnipiac found a significant gender gap on the issue, with 63 percent of women and 50 percent of men opposed.

The Legislature is considering expansion of the law passed after the Parkland shooting that allows trained administrators, librarians and security officials to carry guns in schools. The program might be expanded to include arming classroom teachers.

Quinnipiac also found 59 percent of voters support stricter gun laws in Florida, with 37 percent opposed.

A majority of Florida voters, 55 percent, said the state would be less safe if more people carried guns. Another 35 percent said the state would be safer.

There were dramatic differences based on gender and political affiliation, with 67 percent of Republicans saying more people carrying guns would make the state safer and 90 percent of Democrats saying it would make the state less safe. Among women, 62 percent said more guns would make the state less safe, compared to 48 percent of men. And 80 percent of black voters, 58 percent of Hispanic voters and 49 percent of white voters said it would make the state less safe.

A total of 70 percent of voters said Florida needs to do more to address gun violence. Another 22 percent said Florida is doing enough and 4 percent said it’s doing too much.