More than half of U.S. churches rely on armed members as part of security plan: Survey

washingtontimes.com ^ | June 7, 2023 | Mark A. Kellner

[slapshot]

That is why the dress code for ushers at our church is suit jacket-

[Organic Panic]

My church went on a river rafting trip and every carrying member lost their firearms when the raft flipped. Such a shame...

[Bernard]

God helps those who help themselves.

[ansel12]

No, this is a tiny church of less than 30 usually and any members in the tiny parking lot are no more vulnerable than at any other time when they are armed and in public.

Currently, we have the security described, if there are any indications that additional steps are needed, most of us vet guys would love the excuse to get more stuff going.

[unread]

When the bad guy walks into our church, he'll think he mistakenly walk into the armory room at Fort Knox..

[PROCON]

It’s always a good idea to have cops/retired cops in attendance.

[SC DOC]

Our parish has a safety committee with organized trained, armed, and ready parishioners at each mass. They are recognizable with their secret service earpiece comms.

[PfromHoGro]

When entering a “gfz” I always say “Well who’s going to shoot the guy stabbing everyone?”

[PROCON]

Was your church Latvian Orthodox?

[smokingfrog]

fact

[Jane Long]

Trust in God and keep your powder dry is a very old saying.

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And, don’t forget...

Praise the Lord, and, pass the ammunition.

[No Party Affiliation]

If I’m strapped when attending Mass I’m not going to tell anyone. The only way they’ll find out is if the SHTF.

[Migraine]

Another 40% of pastors were not stupid enough to answer yea or nay on the matter.

[Jane Long]

It’s always a good idea to have cops/retired cops in attendance.

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Our church does....as well as plenty of concealed carry congregants.

[Jane Long]

LOL!

[Delta 21]

It would be better if it were up around 85-90%.

[MachIV]

One of America’s top 10 mega churches is in my metro area. It has been my understanding for years they try to have atleast 2 armed members at any given one of their worship services.

[Texan]

Ditto!

[MeganC]

When our fellowship meets most all of the adults are armed. Pretty normal in Wyoming.

[DugwayDuke]

I had a policeman for a neighbor who told me that church parking lots were one of the major locations for theft from parked cars. The congregation is inside and focused on the service.
He also told me that most churches in our area had ‘ushers’ or ‘greeters’ to meet arriving members and visitors. He said it was standard practice in our area for these usher/greeters to patrol the parking lots after the service started. He added many of them would be carrying.