Free Republic

More than half of Protestant churches rely on armed members as part of their security plans, a survey of pastors shows.About 81% of churches have at least one security measure in place and 54% rely on armed congregants as part of their security, according to a survey of 1,000 pastors conducted by the evangelical research group Lifeway Research.The most-cited option, reported by 57% of pastors, is to have “an intentional plan for an active shooter situation.” Having armed members was the second most-cited security option. Third was radio communications among security personnel (26%), followed by a no-firearms policy for church...

Pro-gun control Hollywood celebrities attending Sunday’s Academy Awards ceremony will enjoy security “similar to when a U.S. president visits” Los Angeles, according to law enforcement. The Hollywood Reporter notes that “a huge chunk of the [Los Angeles Police Department’s] 10,072 sworn officers will be on hand” for the Oscars. Moreover, they spoke to an officer who indicated Sunday will be a “mid-to-max deployment day” involving protocols similar to those used when presidents visit. An LAPD spokesperson said, “We will deploy enough officers to ensure the safety of all the citizens and Oscar attendees. We hope for the best and are...

The Golden Globes show is getting a major security upgrade from the Beverly Hills police department for its 75th anniversary show, set for Sunday, January 7 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills. Citing the number of event attacks this year – which have included the Ariana Grande concert bombing and Las Vegas mass shooting at a country music festival, to name two entertainment-related events – there will be additional staff and security at the Globes, even though there are currently no specific credible threats. Metal detectors, explosives testing and canine patrols are likely part of the plan, and...

In the wake of the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn., the National Rifle Association advocated placing armed guards in all schools — sparking a nationwide “bad guy with a gun”/”good guy with a gun” debate. Meanwhile, on Thursday, the Newtown Board of Education voted to request additional armed SROs (school resource officers). “Combined with the eight unarmed security personnel slated into the still-unapproved 2013/2014 budget,” the plan “would put two eyes and ears — one armed, one unarmed — at each Newtown school,” according to Bronxville’s Patch. At this point, the vote is only a request,...