How’s your church security?

When I attended regularly we did not have any plans in place, any guidance, nothing. I did mention to the pastor a friend teaches carry permit classes, ladies only classes, kids classes on gun safety, church security, and half a dozen other classes and they were not interested. We had a church shooting not 10 miles from us a couple years back and still nada.

I carry if dressed as a matter of course, all day, every day, even if I don’t leave the house. I do know at least 4 members that carried to church, but they all had pocket pieces and nothing full sized. I guess it’s better than nothing, but against someone determined I prefer either my Glock 17 or 5” 1911. Prayerfully nothing will happen to make them regret their decisions.

I’m planning to start going again and they have a new pastor and I’ll give it a whirl with him and see if he is more receptive and willing to at least give it some thought. Either way, if I’m there I’ll always be appropriately armed and capable.

Nothing strategic/tactical to add to thread per se, yet dang it is sure exhausting having to continuously be alert.
In my youth…the notion of attacking churchgoers or churches was completely beyond the boundary of reality.
In that era one could essentially turn-off the rest of the world, enjoy the sermon, and fill-up at coffee hour after!

TarDevil said:

This very much reflects the Active Shooter thread. If a bad guy starts spitting lead in church and CCW's start returning fire, who's to know bad from good?

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We've discussed this at our church and is why it's important for security to be organized. Church members may not know each other, especially if someone is new and not knowing bad from good is not a situation you want to find yourself in.

Small church. I carry. We have a security team and everyone knows who it is. Doors locked except front. Front is watched during service and perimeter is under video surveillance.

We’ve discussed formalized training. No eta on that.

Yes, I carry nearly everywhere. Our church has a security team and I am in the process of getting certified. We had an incident a couple of months ago when several outsiders came in to interrupt the service. It was handled appropriately and the police were notified.

Small church, at least some of us carry,, One open carries a beautiful 357 mag revolver,.. I’m envious. And it is always within inches of his hand..

The church I am attending (not a member) is Anabaptist (so are the Amish). These are the ones who refuse to fight in a war, though they will do any service short of carrying a gun, including medic on the battle field. So, they are not going to have any kind of armed security. Would they let a non-member carry in their meeting hall? I doubt it.

We recently remodeled a local church where we were hired to install security doors, lighting and to build safe rooms in the childrens wing. They have a security team that practices twice a month and they ask the congregation not to carry due to the possibility of friendly fire.

The idea of locked outside doors (especially once church is filled and service starts) makes sense.
It would force anybody with bad intentions, or just silly latecomers, to await an usher to open them.
The likelihood of a criminal psychopath / sociopath actually arriving early and patiently waiting is slim.

aaaaa said:

The church I am attending (not a member) is Anabaptist (so are the Amish). These are the ones who refuse to fight in a war, though they will do any service short of carrying a gun, including medic on the battle field. So, they are not going to have any kind of armed security. Would they let a non-member carry in their meeting hall? I doubt it.

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So are The Hutterites

CountGlockula said:

Do you carry at church?

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Yes. So does my wife.

CountGlockula said:

Are you part of a ministry that is serious about protecting the flock?

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There are all of 12 or 15 people that attend the church we're attending nowadays. A "ministry" to "protect the flock" would be a pretty small "ministry." However, both my wife and I are "serious" about protecting ourselves and one another - whether we're in church or not.

I am part of the security plan at our church. I attend to the back door which is in the front of the sanctuary.
My good friend attends to the front door.

I'm a member of our Safety Committee, and like many others, attend services "properly dressed" as my wife calls it, and while a smallish congregation, I know of at least 5 others similarly prepared who attend regularly and are also a part of the Safety committee. I'm often watching the two ingress points before service. We don't do any group training, and I wish that would change. We're getting a new pastor on July 1, so I'll likely be having a discussion with her on this topic.

At my church the Pastor carrys and competes in matches. I also carry and suspect a few others do also but it's not organized.

We lock our doors after the morning announcements, as the formal worship service begins. When the congregation stands to sing the first hymn, I go lock the doors and check the classrooms, office, and downstairs kitchen for "visitors". As I return to the sanctuary, i meet eyes with my buddy who has locked the front door and checked the nursery for "visitors". He gives me a little nod that all is well.
If I keep moving, I get back to my seat before the song is over.

Most of the churches in my area died during the covid shut down.
They stand empty.
Folks are mostly meeting in their homes.

Scrapiron45 said:

We recently remodeled a local church where we were hired to install security doors, lighting and to build safe rooms in the childrens wing. They have a security team that practices twice a month and they ask the congregation not to carry due to the possibility of friendly fire.

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Friendly fire or being mistaken for a BG is an issue we’ve discussed at great length, our policy now is if we see someone OC they are asked to store the gun in their vehicle.

Ohio law requires permission from pastor to carry in church so since we have a safety team permission is not granted anymore.

As for being mistaken for a BG team members wear lanyards with ID.

.455_Hunter said:

Not sure on Boulder yet, but Denver's new CCW rules violations will result in a ticket and $50 civil fine for first time occurrence, which is good for somebody who "makes a mistake". Fines go up to $999 after couple repeats. Misdemeanors and felonies are set by the state, not local communities, and there can't be much difference between the towns in punishments. If it would pass legal muster, you know very well that Denver would have pushed for making carry in one of the restricted zones with a permit the same as carry without a permit (or worse, since people with permits would be a preferred legal target, and tend not to be members of privileged demographic groups).

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In Cali (at least in L.A.) the law was also you could only be armed with the permission of whoever is considered the leadership of the congregation.

We have a formal security team. At least 10% of the congregation also comes armed. I dunno about the other folks but personally I would only engage if the security folks would be in trouble (highly unlikely given their backgrounds) and I could definitely stop the threat without endangering any congregants.

I am part of our formal security team we hold a OPOTA private security certification as part of being on the security team. There is an annual requal that isn't any harder than when I was a police officer. Our church is posted with stickers at the door stating that only security team members are to be armed. As with all teams some members are more dedicated than others. We have 6 people on the team for 2 services. There are also a few LEO's that are also carrying but aren't dedicated team members.

I don’t live in L A City. But my church is inside the city limits. We once had a robust security program. But we ran into city laws that made that problematic.

So, we have no organized security. And to the best of my knowledge absolutely no one is prepared in any way, shape or form to fend off anyone attacking the congregation, much less armed.

nick22 said:

"…Our church is posted with stickers at the door stating that only security team members are to be armed…"

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Interesting that people feel that is sufficient. What would be the harm of a competent, solid, and longtime congregant with a pistol holstered on his/her hip or revolver in his/her pocket?

Blue Jays said:

Interesting that people feel that is sufficient. What would be the harm of a competent, solid, and longtime congregant with a pistol holstered on his/her hip or revolver in his/her pocket?

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You know you're not going to get an answer right?

With the understanding that a security team can vary from a couple of guys armed with best of intentions to a properly trained, well armed team used to working together there's the definite possibility my introduction of an unexpected weapon might add to the chaos.
The idea of an active shooter situation in a crowded environment such as a church is probably one of the most frightening situations imaginable . I would guess one would have no more than a few seconds before all hell broke loose during which time security is all eyes for a gun toter that's not part of their team.
No judgement here, just something to consider.

Blue Jays said:

Interesting that people feel that is sufficient. What would be the harm of a competent, solid, and longtime congregant with a pistol holstered on his/her hip or revolver in his/her pocket?

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I was torn over the issue of posting anything as I don't like anyone knowing openly that there is armed security on sight. I also don't like that some people that I consider capable but not approved aren't on the list approved for carrying. It was the ultimate decision of our pastor and the head of the security team to go this route. I understand where they were coming from with this decision if we have 1 second to make a shoot no shoot decision knowing who is on your side helps when your situation is bad or worse.