Recent high-profile incidents involving places of worship have made the topic of handguns in church something worth exploring. While locations of this nature are often thought of as being inappropriate places to have firearms, there are some practical and valid reasons to have a handgun for church safety purposes. Below, the firearms experts from Gun Safety Training Pros go over four compelling benefits of taking this step.
1. Not Having to Hire Outside Security Assistance
Some congregations hire outside security staff as a way of boosting safety and security. This is sometimes done to avoid relying solely on parishioners in attendance or maintaining a gun-free zone except for security personnel. To be fair, this can work well for some churches, mosques, synagogues, or other places of worship. That said, it’s not uncommon for local churches or religious groups to have limited financial resources, which can make it impractical to outsource security. With situations like this, it can make sense to allow responsible churchgoers to bring handguns for safety purposes to services.
2. Being Able to Respond Immediately when Necessary
Should the unexpected happen, being able to respond quickly is absolutely vital. In fact, most of the damage from a shooting-related incident takes place within a matter of minutes, often before local law enforcement officials can arrive. Having one or more armed defenders in attendance or on the premises can be an effective way to quickly take control of the situation or, at the very least, prevent the shooter from entering more populated areas or claiming more casualties.
3. Increasing the Level of Preparedness & Situational Awareness
Many congregations, according to Usconcealedcarry.com, routinely conduct active shooter drills today. Church members wishing to participate in such drills are typically given some guidance about what to do and not to do in the event of attacks. It’s also not out of the ordinary for worshippers who volunteer to participate in shooter drills to have military or law enforcement experience. Even if this isn’t the case, properly trained handgun owners are more likely to have an increased awareness of their surroundings at all times. This increased situational awareness increases the odds of spotting and dealing with risks before things escalate.
4. Improving Peace of Mind
Any house of worship is meant to be a place where people feel comfortable gathering, attending services, or participating in church-related events like weddings. But if churchgoers have lingering concerns about personal safety, there may be some hesitation about attending a place of worship for any purpose. If parishioners are permitted to bring handguns in a discreet way, lingering safety concerns can be minimized. Attendance may also increase as a result of added peace of mind, which can be beneficial for churches and the community in general. Even just knowing that other churchgoers will likely be able to act should something happen can be emotionally beneficial for parishioners who prefer not to carry or use handguns themselves.
Whether people use handguns for protection, hunting, competition, or another purpose, they should make sure they have the proper training to handle and shoot them safely. You can count on the firearm education experts at Gun Safety Training Pros when you’re looking for the finest handgun safety course online. If you want to learn more about the crucial aspects of safe firearms ownership and gun handling, contact us today at [email protected].
