Safety and Security for churches should be an importantconsideration for Deacons, Elders, Leadership and Pastors. One suggestion is to develop a Plan and publish new recommendations for churches, on how to handle armed congregants.
The idea is to urge houses of worship to allow congregants to carry weapons only if they are part of an “organized, vetted, and well-regulated safety and security team” — not as a matter of personal protection only, to improve safety.
“We are saying that if a facility is going to allow individuals into the facility carrying firearms, that it is critical they do it in a well-structured, well-coordinated, well-thought-out way. And that everyone know the plan and requirements, to be armed.
This will help to make sure that everyone knows the rule and that a violation of the rule is grounds for their removal and being allowed to continue to attend, come to any of the functions or services at church. It will assure that anyone carrying is well trained and aware of the police on drawing, using or firing a firearm.
This is saying that if a facility is going to allow individuals into the facility carrying firearms, that it is critical they do it in a well structured, well coordinated, well thought-out way, given the implications of liability and safety for others, the church, and for themselves. And it can be a way to grow the safety security team and provide uniform training for any who are armed, so all will know the rules.
In addition to the possibility of shooting of unintended targets in a crisis, the risks of poorly managed firearms include unnecessary escalation of conflicts and accidental shootings when there is no risk to safety. Advocates for responsible gun ownership say risks can be managed with careful training and practices that a team will have.
The teams, the guidance says, should be established under the “oversight of church leadership, led by a designated team leader, and governed by detailed, written policies” governing who can join, how they are vetted and trained, and how the groups coordinate with law enforcement. Training should be ongoing, and “use-of-force protocols” should be clear to all on the team.
The goal of a program is to prevent situations where congregants reach for guns without coordination, who said the question of whether to allow firearms in houses of worship had been raised “in nearly every meeting with every group of stakeholders, from clergy to lay leadership to different institutions.” (In addition to practical concerns) carrying weapons in churches can be a challenge to some churches, and denominations.
We welcome comments, questions. Bob@ChurchSecurityInstitute.net.
