Should My Church Have Security Firearms on the Property?
Before hiring armed security, you should first establish a security plan and practice emergency drills with your congregation. Adventist Risk Management, Inc. (ARM) encourages appointing a local church safety officer to work with the church in preparing for emergencies. Your safety officer should make contact with local police who will provide support should an incident occur on church property. You can learn how to develop emergency plans for your church and find safety officer training and resources here.Hiring Armed Security Personnel
After initial emergency planning and church safety are in place, some churches may question whether they should hire armed security personnel. Before an informed decision can be made by both the local church board and local conference, there are risks, legal, and insurance-related issues that must be addressed.It should be noted that a general liability insurance policy provided by ARM excludes coverage for the use of firearms. This means that the use of a firearm by either an employee or volunteer in the course of their duties is not covered under this insurance policy.
5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring Church Security
- Have you consulted with local conference leadership and the conference attorney to review the gun use laws in your jurisdiction?
- Does your conference have an established policy that no firearms will be allowed on conference owned property? Your church is considered private property. In many states, the property owner can establish their property as a weapons free zone. Some jurisdictions require specific announcements or postings.
- Does the individual who may be willing to provide armed security for the congregation have the proper license or concealed weapons permit and firearm liability insurance? State laws vary on gun licensing and whether a concealed weapon permit grants permission to the owner to have a gun in a house of worship.
- What level of training in firearm use does the individual have and do they have law enforcement experience in the use of deadly force in a public assembly area?
- Is the armed security service provided by a licensed and bonded security company? Be sure the person has insurance or be willing to purchase such insurance for the church.
My Church Has Decided to Have Armed Security. Now What?
The decision to contract armed church security cannot be made without careful consideration of the risks and obtaining permission from the local conference. If the decision is made for armed security to be used, special insurance should be obtained for security officer professional liability coverage.When choosing your armed security, be sure he or she is contracted from a professional security provider. Untrained, nonprofessional, armed church members should not be providing security during church services. Again, do not allow armed church members to provide security during church services.
If a pastor knowingly allows a church member to carry a weapon into the church to provide armed security, the pastor may be held as a representative of the local church and the conference. Actions taken by both the pastor and the armed individual could cause the conference liability for negligence and civil damages. Loss of life or injury caused by an error in using the firearm may raise criminal prosecution for those involved.
If a police officer attends your church and is required to carry a weapon at all times, even when off-duty, request a written employer statement showing the requirement to carry a firearm. A church member, who is an armed police officer, should not be considered armed security for the church, even when off-duty. A regular security guard who is not an employed church security guard should not be given this privilege.
