Over Half of U.S. Church Use Armed Security Teams after Recent Shootings

As active shooter situations in churches have become more prevalent, a majority of churches have put security teams in place, with many adopting plans for active shooters and allowing their parishioners to carry weapons. Lifeway Research released the results of a recent survey, conducted before the shooting at West Freeway Church of Christ in December.

When presented with a list of security measures they have put in place when their church meets for worship, 62 percent of protestant pastors said their church has a plan for an active shooter, 45 percent have church members who carry weapons, and 28 percent provide radio communication for their security personnel. Additionally, 23 percent provide armed security at their services and 6 percent have uniformed police officers on site during worship.

Some churches have gone the opposite route, with 27 percent of churches saying that they have a strict policy against possessing firearms in worship. Also, 3 percent of churches employ metal detectors at the entrance to check for weapons.

While 19 shootings have taken place at churches since the year 2000, several high-profile cases have pushed this issue to the forefront. The nation was shocked in June 2015 when a 21-year-old man killed nine people during a Bible study at Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina.

In November 2017, a 26-year-old man murdered 26 people at First Baptist…