Church security: Notifying the congregation

[altitude_19]

I am in a state that only allows you carry in church if you are part of a "security team" and "notify the congregation in writing." We have decided to publish a blurb in the bulletin once per quarter to fulfill this requirement but are a little lost with what verbiage to use. We want to put minds at ease without over exaggerating what we are (only a few of us are police/military) but must make it abundantly clear we carry firearms. Anyone had to do this before? How did you phrase it?

 

[bikerdoc]

Here is a thread from last summer with a load of info,

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=721008&highlight=church+security

 

[altitude_19]

I found that in a search. Nothing about notifying the congregation. Did I miss it?

 

[Mainsail]

The church should put out a blanket notification:

"The congregation should be aware that some or all church members may be armed."

 

[vongh]

The church should put out a blanket notification:

"The congregation should be aware that some or all church members may be armed."

I think what Mainsail is simple and straight forward. I know that some members of our church pitched in together and took a concealed carry certification course.

 

[Charlie Horse]

How about something like this.

In order to allow our congregation to worship peacefully, our church has assembled a well trained and armed security team, in accordance with (insert state code here). Please keep these brothers (and sisters?) in your prayers that their skills might never be needed.

It says what you need, without dwelling on it.

 

[WestKentucky]

Depends upon the actual letter of the law. Do you have to list your name on a "security team" roster or can the blanket statement suffice. It may be best to have one of those Tuesday night revival services unannounced where the list is communicated publicly to all in attendance...and have handouts that can be put in a file as evidence of said revival service...

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Colorado doesn't require notification of the congregation but if asked our standard response is “Some of the security team may be armed.” and say nothing more.

Also I would research the law and be 100% certain that you are required to inform your congregation before you make an issue of it.

As a side note on the issue of Church Security, one of our guys was on the SWAT team that responded to New Life, he says that one of the reasons that Jeanne Assam wasn't shot in the confusion is that she was wearing a security uniform and was clearly identifiable as such.

Something to think about

 

[Ryanxia]

Wow, so even though you have a Right to worship and a Right to Keep and Bear Arms you have to notify others around you in writing? That's chilling.

Sounds like it's time to follow CT and get some mass civil disobedience going on.

On another note, those of us who carry in my Church occasionally discuss it and I'm sure it's been overheard but I don't think anyone's ever asked about it. Of course guns are probably a bit more commonplace in Free States.

 

[altitude_19]

Yes, I'm positive we have to provide notification. No, we aren't required to disclose the roster of members, but do have to have one. Some have specially recommended we steer clear of touting how well trained the team is for liability reasons. What do you guys think?

 

[Mainsail]

Some have specially recommended we steer clear of touting how well trained the team is for liability reasons. What do you guys think?

Are they actually well trained, and what does that even mean really?

Don't lie. Don’t exaggerate. Just make the minimum statement required.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

If you are positive you are required to inform I would go with Mainsail’s advice. I’m sure the church knows that the security team exists just make a minimum notification in your bulletin. “State law requires that we inform you that the church has an armed security team.” And leave it at that.

 

[jimmyraythomason]

I'm thankful my state, Alabama, leaves the church's business to the church. No one knows who is armed and neither would an armed intrude until it was too late.

 

[leadaddict]

Wow, that's an odd requirement. I'd love to read the actual statute. Can you reference it or at least the state of origin?

I would incorporate it into a broader discussion of security measures. Maybe something like this:

The church leadership continues to research and implement ways to improve the safety of everyone who attends our church. Some of the measures now in place include:
- Ushers at every entrance while the doors are unlocked.
- An emergency plan coordinated with the local police department
- A discrete armed security team, comprised of members of the congregation
- Background checks for anyone involved with youth ministry.
- Whatever else you may be doing…
If you ever see or hear of a possible threat to anyone’s safety while at church please notify one of the ushers as soon as you can. We look forward to the day when God’s peace will reign on earth, but in the mean time we will work to keep our church a safe place to meet and worship.
(in accordance with xxxxxx)

 

[altitude_19]

Wow, that's an odd requirement. I'd love to read the actual statute. Can you reference it or at least the state of origin?

Behold!
http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/laws/statutes.php?statute=69-2441

 

[Deltaboy1984]

We just stated that we had a trained security team and they were armed.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

(c) A place of worship may authorize its security personnel to carry concealed handguns on its property so long as each member of the security personnel, as authorized, is in compliance with the Concealed Handgun Permit Act and possesses a permit to carry a concealed handgun issued pursuant to the act and written notice is given to the congregation and, if the property is leased, the carrying of concealed handguns on the property does not violate the terms of any real property lease agreement between the place of worship and the lessor.

I knew there was a reason I no longer live in Nebraska

PS since the statute specifies written notice put it in the bulletin once a month and let it go

 

[leadaddict]

"and written notice is given to the congregation"

I was afraid maybe it was going to be a lot more specific than that. Like "Written notice must be given to each member of the congregation on the first day of each year on a single sheet of 11x17, 23 weight cotton paper, with the font being no less than size 17.2 in Times New Roman BOLD".

Simply "written notice is given to the congregation" could be as simple as a security notice on the foyer bulletin board. Still a very dumb requirement, but I over estimated it's stupidity, which doesn't happen very often!

 

[Jim K]

Unless the law actually requires notification that the security team is armed, I would simply say that they will deal with any disruptions of the service. Let the congregants read that any way they want.

Religion and guns are not incompatible. I was once at a Papal audience, and I can pretty well guarantee that those big guys with bulging jackets weren't carrying concealed crucifixes.

Jim