National Church arming itself with 15 guns for active shooting situations

[Joe Link]

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Church shootings are becoming more common in the U.S. and churches across the country are taking steps to prepare themselves, either through hired security or active shooting training. That added security is no exception for a Fort Wayne church.

Members of Abundant Life Church on Coliseum Blvd. have been mapping out security plans and taking shooting classes. Five or ten years ago they wouldn't have thought it was necessary, but now they believe this type of security is a must.

"I think after the Texas shooting it became very real to all of us that unfortunately this is starting to become more and more prevalent," said head of security Chris Williams.

Twenty-Five people were shot to death by an active shooter in Sutherland, Texas last month. That came two years after nine people were killed in a mass shooting at a Charleston, South Carolina church.

"It's really sad that places that were once viewed as maybe off limits or sacred are now kind of specifically targeted," Williams said. "It kind of scared us all a little bit to what if this were Abundant Life Church, would we have an adequate response?"

The answer to that is now a yes. They're amping up security by arming 15 to 20 members with guns. They've been receiving formal training on proper communications and responses in active shooter situations. The ushers, greeters, nurses and newly formed security team are all briefed on how to protect Abundant Life's members if danger ever arises.

Williams knows many churches won't agree with the new security measures, but says in a 20,000 square foot church with 12 doors and 450 members they have no choice in light of recent events.

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[Dungannon]

I applaud their planning and willingness to train, but think it is dumb for the church to be purchasing firearms. If the church owns the guns, do they go back into a safe at the end of the service [making the church an even bigger target for burglars]? Why not provide the training for church members that already own guns?

 

[Stomper]

God never asked anyone to be a doormat under the guise of someone's subjective notion of "piety".

 

[MilitantBEEMER]

I am all for this approach, it is a little unconventional for them to be supplying the weapons, and I to wonder what is done with them when church is not in service?
Either way good on them for being proactive.

 

[Caveman Jim]

I cannot blame them (churches as a whole) for not being sheep anymore with the numbers of sick dememted church hating whackos increasing steadily.

 

[DunRanull]

(Matthew 10:34) - "Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword"....
Each church congregation outfitting it's own armed security group should have this quotation attributed to Christ on it's outdoor signage or on the wall behind the podium, for all to see and know...

 

[Certaindeaf]

Seems kinda busybody feelgood make-work stuff.
I'm more for individual responsibility and assume everyone is armed all the time.

 

[Oathkeeper1775]

...and what happens if the "pastor" hears an audible voice; commanding him to send the "sheep" home to their Sheppard?

Mea Culpa: I don't particularly care for the communion services where everyone is required to eat and drink at the same time either; I prefer to "down it" before my family partakes...so they have time to abstain...

Call me crazy; there is no place where our guard can be let down any more...

 

[rick benjamin]

You ARE crazy, might be right too...

 

[Diamondback]

"'Paranoia' is simply a state of heightened awareness."--Clint Smith at Thunder Ranch

 

[Stomper]

You ARE crazy, might be right too...

I'm not crazy...... mom had me tested when I was a child.

 

[Oathkeeper1775]

"Suffice to say"; as the saying goes...

I'd trust 15 individuals; each depending-on and acting-on their own morality and instincts, way-way more than I'd trust any 15 individuals; all acting on the morality or instincts or "commands" of 1.

So, at all possible, I'll avoid those areas where the actions or "mistake(s)" of one person, can have the potential to adversely-affect the safety or lives of many; particularly my family and my self.

No shortage of the good word on TBN.

 

[filsonhand]

I'm not crazy...... mom had me tested when I was a child.

This test wasn't in a van behind a gas station was it LOL

 

[Seraphim38]

Most churches won't go there because of the liability. It isn't often about whether they believe in guns or not; it is most commonly a fear of what happens if the church leadership allow it.

If you have experience and training in church security, it is best referred to as a safety team, not a security team. Armed, uniformed security attract too much attention.

Active, effective safety teams in a house of worship are most of the time watching out for medical emergencies, protecting children from predators and insulating the church from lawsuits relating to child custody (when a child is given over to someone that they shouldn't have been given over to). It also involves checking entrances and securing the property, greeting people, securing money transfers and even counting money.

Active shooters account for a very small portion of what an effective security team deals with, and should be training on. There is a very high danger of collateral damage and crossfire if 15 to 20 people start shooting in a crowded room full of people who have just starting reacting to an active shooter.

A lot of the training for church safety teams must focus on first aid, emergency response simulations and de-escalation of conflicts.

For those interested, check out Sheepdog Ministries. He is one of the nation's consultants and trainers in this area.