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Security experts are increasingly urging U.S. churches to tighten security measures after two near-misses involving attempted shootings at places of worship across the country this month. There is also growing interest among the congregation to do so.
Last week, a Pennsylvania man jumped from his seat in front of a church and attacked an armed man who approached the pulpit during a sermon and tried to shoot the pastor. Hero Clarence McAllister, who was in the front row, tackled and disarmed him. And on Saturday, a teenage boy carrying a gun approached a Louisiana church during a First Communion Mass for dozens of children. Parishioners detained him outside and called the police.
In February, an armed woman burst into Joel Osteen's Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas, with her 7-year-old child in tow and opened fire. An off-duty police officer at the scene stopped the assault, but the child was struck in the head by a crossfire.
The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) also advise churches and other places of worship to prepare year-round.
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A man, identified by police as 26-year-old Bernard Polite, points a gun at Pastor Glenn Germany during a sermon at Jesus' Dwelling Place Church in North Braddock, Pennsylvania, on May 5, 2024. (Glenn Germany/Local) NewsX/TMX)
Measures include creating and sharing emergency plans with congregants, coordinating with local law enforcement, and undergoing active shooter response training.
Video: Pennsylvania man points gun at pastor during sermon:
Pennsylvania man points gun at church pastor, interrupts video sermon
FEMA provides a security self-assessment checklist on its website. The government also provides grants to non-profit security to cover the cost of physical safety measures. Local governments across the country offer safety training programs for houses of worship.
But experts told FOX News Digital that churches are increasingly relying on volunteers and qualified professionals to provide security, whether armed or unarmed.
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From megachurches to small independent houses of worship, interest in improving security measures is growing across the board, said David Katz, CEO of Global Security Group. Global Security Group is a private company founded in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks by former federal officials, NYPD executives, and FDNY leaders. /11.
He said armed volunteer security at places of worship is not a new idea, especially for Jewish synagogues, but the demand is growing as more facilities consider the option.
Katz, a former special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), trained volunteers at his Texas synagogue amid fears of violence following the invasion of Israel by Hamas terrorists and anti-Semitic attacks in the United States. started. Church too.
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A member of the congregation who was sitting near the front of the church ran up to the gunman and helped wrest it from his hands. There were no injuries. (Glenn Germany/Local News X/TMX)
“Most synagogues and churches don't have the budget for full-time armed security,” he says. That's why his company employs security guards, but also provides training to believers so they can protect themselves.
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Harris County sheriff's deputies outside Lakewood Church in Houston, where a shooting reportedly occurred during a Spanish church service on Feb. 11, 2024. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Many are dedicated to the task and are exposed to many dangers when a lone wolf attacks.
“I've had people say to me, 'I've been anti-gun my whole life, and I just bought my first gun. It's time to change the way I vote, and it's time to change the way I think about self-defense. ''' he said. “They're buying guns without training, so we're going to fill that gap.”
However, only some states, such as Texas, allow churches to form their own security teams made up of parishioners.
“That would never be allowed in New York City,” he said.
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From left: Police Chief Troy Finner, Lakewood Church Pastor Joel Osteen, Mayor John Whitmire, and Fire Chief Samuel Pena during the shooting at Lakewood Church on February 11, 2024. Participating in a press conference. (Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle via Getty Images)
Pat Brosnan, founder and president of Brosnan Risk Consultants, which provides threat assessments and armed and unarmed security guards, said laws that vary widely in communities across the country affect the measures churches and other places of worship can take. He says that he is giving
He said the security industry faces barriers such as strict regulations, training requirements and high insurance premiums, which can complicate running an all-volunteer security team.
But just the visual of a security guard “standing tall” at the door makes a difference, Brosnan told Fox News Digital.
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“Most of these guys are cowards, and it's important to recognize that,” he says. “They might talk about meeting their creator and all the other things they assume will happen when they die, if they die at the hands of the police or someone else. But most of them are cowards. They don't want to die. That's why deterrence often works, in my opinion.
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He said some churches only deploy security guards during worship hours or special events if the cost is prohibitive.
“It's somewhat unusual, but we've seen it a little bit more now…basically church people banding together to disarm men. We saw it in the Super Bowl parade, we saw it many times. I also saw it,” he said. . “It's very dangerous, but sometimes it's necessary. I'm untrained and constantly reminding people to be careful, but the reality is that sometimes you don't have a choice.”
He also praised the actions of good Samaritans like McAllister and parents outside Louisiana churches who saved lives in a series of recent incidents, while also urging caution.
“We salute them,” Brosnan said. “It's amazing to see civilians act so bravely to save lives.”