Two teenage attackers killed three men outside the Islamic Center of San Diego before taking their own lives, and the lesson for church security teams is that the fight stayed outside.
This is an example of why we are working to carve out a repeal or exemption to SB 1454 for houses of worship. Churches should retain the ability to protect their congregations without excessive state interference.
Under current California law, an armed security person serving at a church must possess a state-issued Guard Card, an Exposed Firearm Permit, and be employed through a licensed Private Patrol Operator/security company — even if that company is operated by the church itself.
Many churches are now facing increasing regulatory burdens simply for attempting to provide lawful protection for their members, staff, and children during worship services and church events.
Our church purchased two used police Ford Explorers, a blue and white, and an all-white (We also have a K-12 school). We spent about $20k total on them. Because they are barely driven, they will last for years and years. We marked them visibly with "Security" on the doors. They are parked on both sides of our complex in highly visible locations and moved daily by our security team. They are also used to patrol the parking lot during services. We have a total of 16 licensed armed security guards in our congregation who were specifically licensed to help the church. 3 or 4 of them are on the campus at all times doing other jobs, but connected by walkie-talkies. My main point is that the visibility of the cars (backed by the reality of armed security) really does serve as a powerful message and deterrent. The security vehicles are a suggestion for other congregations: to enhance security visibility and say out loud that we are a protected location.
Keith, thank you brother. This was an excellent analysis and I especially loved the “Biblical Perspective” section in this post. What an amazing charge to all who have chosen to walk this road. Keep up the great work brother!
Under current Florida law, an armed security person serving at a church must possess a state-issued Guard Card, an Exposed Firearm Permit, and be employed through a licensed Private Patrol Operator/security company — even if that company is operated by the church itself.
I've been practicing with a TitanX laser pistol and MantisX app for a month now, and have only once managed to draw and fire in under 2 seconds. I suspect the problem is that reaction times slow as we age.
Fortunately, accuracy of my shots has improved greatly. As Wyatt Earp said:"Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything."
It is indeed harder as you get older. I’ve always been sub two seconds. Usually hovering around a second and a half. As I get older, there are days that it’s three seconds. We just have to try harder as we age.
As John Bernard Books said in The Shootist, "it's not about being fast, it's about being willing." I'm "slow", as I practice moving to cover while drawing before shooting. In training, one learns about mistakes.
Excellent Training Keith, thanks for the info and the training. Our church is blessed to have a fairly large safety team. Our church also has to hire local 2 to 3 Police Officers to do traffic control on the main street outside our church on Sunday mornings so we will hopefully have a 60 to 90 second response time if it ever hits the fan.
Even better is undercover vanilla nobodies at the front. That way when the bad guys pull out their weapons against the armed guard, they already have opposing firepower behind them they don't realize is there. Never give a crook an even break.
Spot on debrief! Thanks
This is an example of why we are working to carve out a repeal or exemption to SB 1454 for houses of worship. Churches should retain the ability to protect their congregations without excessive state interference.
Under current California law, an armed security person serving at a church must possess a state-issued Guard Card, an Exposed Firearm Permit, and be employed through a licensed Private Patrol Operator/security company — even if that company is operated by the church itself.
Many churches are now facing increasing regulatory burdens simply for attempting to provide lawful protection for their members, staff, and children during worship services and church events.
Very helpful information!
Great info Keith
Our church purchased two used police Ford Explorers, a blue and white, and an all-white (We also have a K-12 school). We spent about $20k total on them. Because they are barely driven, they will last for years and years. We marked them visibly with "Security" on the doors. They are parked on both sides of our complex in highly visible locations and moved daily by our security team. They are also used to patrol the parking lot during services. We have a total of 16 licensed armed security guards in our congregation who were specifically licensed to help the church. 3 or 4 of them are on the campus at all times doing other jobs, but connected by walkie-talkies. My main point is that the visibility of the cars (backed by the reality of armed security) really does serve as a powerful message and deterrent. The security vehicles are a suggestion for other congregations: to enhance security visibility and say out loud that we are a protected location.
Great info and debrief as always, Keith. Be blessed brother!
Excellent analysis with godly perspectives. Thank you Keith for alll you do!
thanks Keith, always learning.
Keith, thank you brother. This was an excellent analysis and I especially loved the “Biblical Perspective” section in this post. What an amazing charge to all who have chosen to walk this road. Keep up the great work brother!
Under current Florida law, an armed security person serving at a church must possess a state-issued Guard Card, an Exposed Firearm Permit, and be employed through a licensed Private Patrol Operator/security company — even if that company is operated by the church itself.
I've been practicing with a TitanX laser pistol and MantisX app for a month now, and have only once managed to draw and fire in under 2 seconds. I suspect the problem is that reaction times slow as we age.
Fortunately, accuracy of my shots has improved greatly. As Wyatt Earp said:"Fast is fine, but accuracy is everything."
It is indeed harder as you get older. I’ve always been sub two seconds. Usually hovering around a second and a half. As I get older, there are days that it’s three seconds. We just have to try harder as we age.
As John Bernard Books said in The Shootist, "it's not about being fast, it's about being willing." I'm "slow", as I practice moving to cover while drawing before shooting. In training, one learns about mistakes.
Excellent Training Keith, thanks for the info and the training. Our church is blessed to have a fairly large safety team. Our church also has to hire local 2 to 3 Police Officers to do traffic control on the main street outside our church on Sunday mornings so we will hopefully have a 60 to 90 second response time if it ever hits the fan.
2 shooter incident - don't forget Columbine
One larger patch is the Nazi Black Sun and the other symbol is the AtomWaffen.
One of your best debriefings, thanks for all you do!!
Even better is undercover vanilla nobodies at the front. That way when the bad guys pull out their weapons against the armed guard, they already have opposing firepower behind them they don't realize is there. Never give a crook an even break.