Church security team

[Jubal Sackett]

I'll chip in the discussion.  Security, small unit tactics and using firearms in close quarters are things i am familiar with.

I will leave the decision to have an armed presence in your church up to you and your particular church.  The willingness to use force and accept the consequences (legal, moral, emotional, etc) are highly personal matters.

However, simply having a handgun is not enough.  It's miles better than dirty looks and nasty words if force is needed, but please think about the real situation for a moment.  That building will be filled with people you know, some of them close friends or family.  It behooves you to know how to properly engage a threat while at the same time minimizing risk to bystanders.  Being a "good shot" on a square range is no substitute for knowing the proper tactics and methods for moving with a drawn weapon in crowded spaces, transiting obstacles and other people while maintaining a line of attack, and a dozen other things.

I'm not saying don't do it.  I am saying get some real training specific to the real world situation you'll be faced with.  The last thing you want is to be responsible for killing or wounding a fellow church member because of lack of preparation and training.

I couldn't agree more. All of our people are current or former law enforcement. We all trained at one time or another with the same instructor's with the local sheriff's dept.  I've spent hours training for 50 yd. shots with a Glock 23. My job is to stay put and take the shot if necessary. One man shadows the pastor and stay's with him and him alone. The rest move toward the crisis. Other unarmed members help with evacuation. We also have plans for tornado emergencies. No earthquake plan yet but it's in the works.

Jubal Sackett

 

[ALAYMAN]

I'll chip in the discussion.  Security, small unit tactics and using firearms in close quarters are things i am familiar with.

I will leave the decision to have an armed presence in your church up to you and your particular church.  The willingness to use force and accept the consequences (legal, moral, emotional, etc) are highly personal matters.

However, simply having a handgun is not enough.  It's miles better than dirty looks and nasty words if force is needed, but please think about the real situation for a moment.  That building will be filled with people you know, some of them close friends or family.  It behooves you to know how to properly engage a threat while at the same time minimizing risk to bystanders.  Being a "good shot" on a square range is no substitute for knowing the proper tactics and methods for moving with a drawn weapon in crowded spaces, transiting obstacles and other people while maintaining a line of attack, and a dozen other things.

I'm not saying don't do it.  I am saying get some real training specific to the real world situation you'll be faced with.  The last thing you want is to be responsible for killing or wounding a fellow church member because of lack of preparation and training.

bumping because I recently purchased my cc weapon of choice.

I truly appreciate every word you are saying.  A little more to my story though.  I am the church treasurer, leaving the premises late after dark, regularly as the last person.  My wife and small son are with me usually, and I take that protective responsibility seriously.  Any crook with an iota of intelligence knows that there's a strong possibility of that last person leaving the church being an easy mark and carrying the daily offering.  I don't intend to be a target, nor do I want to jeopardize my family.  And though I certainly don't want to involve any church member in a collateral damage situation, I likewise recognize in this day and age we live in that I'd HATE to helplessly watch some jihadist or nutjob systematically going down the pews executing people I worship with and love.

But recognizing your claim of expertise, what would you recommend as a starting point for starting a security unit in a small church?

 

[FSSL]

I am in Alabama. The question down here is "Who does not conceal carry?"


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[sword]

I'll chip in the discussion.  Security, small unit tactics and using firearms in close quarters are things i am familiar with.
I will leave the decision to have an armed presence in your church up to you and your particular church.  The willingness to use force and accept the consequences (legal, moral, emotional, etc) are highly personal matters.

However, simply having a handgun is not enough.  It's miles better than dirty looks and nasty words if force is needed, but please think about the real situation for a moment.  That building will be filled with people you know, some of them close friends or family.  It behooves you to know how to properly engage a threat while at the same time minimizing risk to bystanders.  Being a "good shot" on a square range is no substitute for knowing the proper tactics and methods for moving with a drawn weapon in crowded spaces, transiting obstacles and other people while maintaining a line of attack, and a dozen other things.

I'm not saying don't do it.  I am saying get some real training specific to the real world situation you'll be faced with.  The last thing you want is to be responsible for killing or wounding a fellow church member because of lack of preparation and training.

bumping because I recently purchased my cc weapon of choice.
I truly appreciate every word you are saying.  A little more to my story though.  I am the church treasurer, leaving the premises late after dark, regularly as the last person.  My wife and small son are with me usually, and I take that protective responsibility seriously.  Any crook with an iota of intelligence knows that there's a strong possibility of that last person leaving the church being an easy mark and carrying the daily offering.  I don't intend to be a target, nor do I want to jeopardize my family.

Why would you not secure the offering in a safe / vault and then deposit it on a week day during normal business hours. I have never heard of a church or business making their daily deposit after dark. It seems you are just asking for trouble and it is taking a very unnecessary risk.

 

[ALAYMAN]

Why would you not secure the offering in a safe / vault and then deposit it on a week day during normal business hours. I have never heard of a church or business making their daily deposit after dark. It seems you are just asking for trouble and it is taking a very unnecessary risk.

Being the last to leave and confronted with a thug wanting his fix I'll tell him to go away because I don't have any dough on me, but I doubt he'd relent when I told him I couldn't get him the money because it was already locked up for the night and has to be deposited tomorrow.  ;D