It pains me to admit it, but for the last year or so, I have thoughts I shouldn’t have to have when I sit in church. I find myself choosing specific places to sit and looking around and assessing escape routes in the event of a shooter. It doesn’t help that everyone is facing the same way, so if someone comes in the main door in the back, it would take precious seconds for people to figure out what is going on. A cousin of mine belongs to a very large church ... they have armed security & also church members with discreet communications to keep an eye out and if they observe something that doesn’t look right, they can immediately report it to the security personnel. This weekend, there is a forum in the area for church members on church security - they were on the radio this morning, letting the community know there is more room if people want to attend - I suspect they’ll be jam packed. BTW, where I live, you cannot carry a concealed weapon into a place of religious worship while a meeting for religious purposes is being held at such place “without good and sufficient reason”. Personally, I think being in a place where it would like shooting fish in a barrel for some person of evil intent is sufficient reason. “Gun free” zones (i.e. zero guns except for criminals or the deranged) need to be abolished. Very troubling times .... prayers for America.
When it comes to preventing this happening to you or those you love, what law is compelling enough?
This past weekend we had a guy walk into our church as we were finishing up the sunday am service. Pastor comes over to me, pulls me aside, asks if I am carrying, and pointed out the guy to me.
I told him that we have seen him in here before, he seems ok, but I will keep an eye out. I usually let a couple other guys know when I am keeping an eye on things - weightlifters, martial arts, veterans, cops...good to know the right people.
I often run the sound board at my church, so I am situated in the back of the room - a good place to be. For a short time we stationed ushers at the front/corner of the sanctuary to keep an eye on things, but now there are just a few of us to keep watch over things...
Our church has hosted classes for conceal permits and is active in pursuing improved awareness and security.
Just the (fallen) world we live in...