An interesting article (republication) appeared yesterday, December 5, 2019 in the VALLIANT NEWS, by Robert Smith of South Florida, regarding worshippers packing heat during services in their places of worship. The full article can be read below or at the following link . . . .
The original publication appeared in the Sun Sentinel, Nov. 10, 2017 and was written by Mike Clary, staff reporter . . . . https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/florida/fl-reg-guns-in-churches-20171108-story.html Thank you Robert Smith for revitalizing Mike Clary’s article.
Mike Clary’s Sun Sentinel’s article Robert Smith’s article is quite in-depth on the extent parishioners and congregants will go to defend themselves and other congregants in the event an armed assailant threatens their place of worship.
Not addressed in Mr. Clary’s Mr. Smith’s article is the need for formal firearms training!
Regrettably, too many church and synagogue attendees, who are concealed carry weapons license holders, packing pistols, lack formal handgun training. Handgun training that ‘qualifies’ them to carry a deadly weapon in public. Especially in a crowded, close-quarter environment, where there may be 100, 300, 500, 1,000 or more attendees sitting elbow to elbow.
It should be specifically understood that possessing a concealed carry weapons license only grants a person permission to carry a concealed weapon in public. It does NOT qualify a person to carry a deadly weapon in public. A deadly weapon capable of taking someone’s life either intentionally or unintentionally.
Those carrying concealed weapons in a congregation of 100, 300, 500, 1,000 or more people have no idea what it is like to experience a stampede of panicked people running for exits when someone hears a BANG and screams “GUN”.
The sad fact is, a great many of those carrying concealed guns in public have little to no training to defend themselves or others.
There is specific training available for those who are or desire to be a member of a faith based organization safety watchman teams and it is strongly encourage they participate in and complete such training. Church Guardian Training / “ACTIVE SHOOTER” TRAINING for Faith Based Organizations
Regrettably, such training is either unknown to them or they do not want to commit to taking the training. That concealed carry weapons license they received, with having received little to no firearms training, gives them a serious false sense of security.
Too often, carrying a little 6-shot, pocket pistol makes someone feel 10-foot tall and bullet proof. In reality they are no match for an armed assailant, wearing body armor, who has planned his attack.
Formal advanced firearms training is imperative for those who perform a ‘guardian’ function, either formally or informally (volunteer) within their congregation.
Once a firearm is discharged, either intentionally or unintentionally, their is no putting the bullet back in the gun.
