Is it Time to Arm Our Churches?

June 20, 2015

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MOORESVILLE, NC — The deadly mass shooting in Charleston, SC is putting the focus on security at churches across the country.

Church leaders in the Charlotte area are looking at what they can do to keep congregations safe, and taking advantage of a local program to do so.

“For me it was a great atrocity, and it was an eye-opening experience,” says Pastor Robert McGowens, Sr.

Dr. McGowens of Greater Galilee Baptist Church in Charlotte is like many pastors across the country–looking at church safety in a new light.

“That’s something that we’re looking at now, as developing a security team,” says Dr. McGowens. “And what that entails, we really don’t know right now. But we know we need to do something.”

The Mooresville Police Department ran two sessions of their house of worship security training program Friday, trying to help prevent potential church violence.

“We don’t want to scare people with this training, but there’s a reality that we have to consider,” says Officer Lauren Childers. “So we want to make sure that everybody has access to the information.”

“The incident in South Carolina is proof that we need to do better in our churches,” says Mooresville PD Chaplain William Conrad.

The hour-long program teaches churches how to create a safety and security team, and the best ways to utilize available resources.

“Being vigilant and observant, it can be as simple as that,” says Officer Childers. “Or it can be more complex to where they hire an off duty officer.”

What many people don’t know, is that some local churches already have trained security sitting in the pews.

As for the calls from some corners to arm our churches?

“I’m not a proponent of concealed weapons by civilians,” says Dr. McGowens.

“But it is an option, and that’s something that has to be discussed with the pastor, with the leaders of the church and maybe with the church body,” says Chaplain Conrad.

Conrad says it’s a tricky subject. Churches want to provide sanctuary and refuge for all. But at what price?

“Had a member been there who had a concealed carry, or who had some training, who could use deadly force could have stopped the young man before nine lives were lost,” says Conrad.

This training will last one hour, and is suitable for faith leaders, congregation members, church staff, and persons responsible for the safety of their house of worship. Choose from one of the listed training dates, or contact your Community Resource Officer for a one-on-one meeting or site survey of your facility. Each of the training dates will be held at the Mooresville Police Department (750 W. Iredell Ave.) Registration is not required.

Friday, June 19th @ 10 a.m. MPD Training Room

Friday, June 19th @ 2 p.m. MPD Training Room

Tuesday, June 23rd @ 2:30 p.m. MPD Training Room

Friday, July 10th @ 2:30 p.m. MPD Training Room

Friday, July 17th @ 2:30 p.m. MPD Training Room

Monday, July 27th @ 10 a.m. MPD Training Room

Thursday, July 30th @ 12 p.m. MPD Training Room

Topics to be covered:

ï‚· How to assess your safety risks

ï‚· How to keep children safe

ï‚· Building and monetary security measures

ï‚· Implementing a security team