Should Churches Be Gun-Free?

Recent events on the other side of my state have re-ignited the debates over whether legislators should declare every church a "gun-free" zone. To me, it's rather like the old question, "If you call a mule's tail a leg, how many legs would it have?"

The answer is, "Four, because calling the tail a leg doesn't make it one." And so it is that no matter how many laws get passed, and no matter how many levels of government pass those laws, a church will only be gun free until someone walks in with one.

My comments Thursday concerning the church shooting in Charleston, SC, jogged my memory about previous posts on the subject of church security. In particular, an article I wrote in 2008 about Charl Van Wyk's actions against a terrorist attack on his church in South Africa came to mind.

Then, I ran across the video below in which Van Wyk discusses how well gun-free zones have worked out in Africa -- and they've worked out very well . . . for evil dictators and terrorists. Before you view it, please ask yourself this question: "If they came to take away my pastor -- to bury him alive -- what would I do, what could I do to stop them?"

Video may appear to be null, but it works when I click on it. Please let me know if you experience a problem.

(Warning: The video does contain graphic images, so I'm asking all minors to have a parent/guardian preview it to make sure it does not violate your family's viewing standards.)

Church Violence in Charleston

The official said the assailant methodically kept firing and reloading. (From an L.A. Times article)

My barber emailed me about this incident and called the shooter "another robot". It seems these lone gunmen go off the reservation at times a little too convenient to the liberal anti-gun agenda. Yes, my barber is a little paranoid. It's one of the things I really like about him.

Aside from all the impassioned liberal propaganda that will try to take this tragedy and turn it into political hay, I think we need to face some tactical realities. Below you will find the text of an email I sent to my pastor a little while ago.

Pastor,

I'm sure you are aware of the terrible incident at the AME church in Charleston where a white man shot nine people at a Wednesday evening service. Although that particular shooting probably had racial motivations, it serves to underscore the fact that shootings happen more often in churches than in schools.

http://www.carlchinn.com/Deadly_Force_Incidents.html

As you know, the session of our church has given me express permission as a CCP holder to carry concealed in our church building. I have done so faithfully, and I want you to know my standard security practices.

I sit in the back row for a reason. From there, a simple turn of the head allows me to see whenever I hear one of the rear doors to the sanctuary open. Nevertheless, I think I will move back to the first row of the alcove where T__ & B___ used to sit. This will allow me an even better vantage point for all three entrances to the sanctuary.

Just so you know, I worship tactically. I have tried to cultivate the habit of always holding my hymnbook in my left hand, in case I need to access my weapon with my right. Any time I hear movement during prayer, I open my eyes to find the source. While I'm not a great multi-tasker, I believe the Lord will not count it against me if I spend a little more time during the service with my eyes open.

I also want to make this pledge to you: To show up at services both ready to worship my God and to serve as a sheepdog for His flock. To come with both my heart and my weapon clean and ready, and my skills current.

I realize that I am not present at every church function, so I would like to suggest that you bring up to the session the need for security plans, procedures and policies along with sufficient training to implement them.

As we recently discussed, our society finds itself shifting in a negative attitude toward Christians in general. It is my hope that you and the session will give church security some serious thought in light of this. Let me know if I can help in any way.

For Crown & Covenant,

In case you haven't figured it out, protecting the flock isn't just something you do; it involves who you are on a deep level. 

From the Barber's Chair: Tactical Thinking Covers All of Life

You should not relegate tactical thinking to only the crisis events. Unless you make it habitual mindset that covers all your life, you may not be able to summon it for the big events.

As a case in point, I recently received this email from my barber. It's a tactical debrief after one of life's mundane crises. (minor editing, chiefly to protect identities & location)

Whenever there is an major incident, first responders hold a debrief to analyze what happened, the response, and what can be done to improve.  Here's mine from today....

For over 30 years we have kept an outside key to our house in a secreted location.  We have been renovating our home, and the key has been on my desk in my office for weeks.

We have a barn cat that I feed at 0730 every morning.  I did not do my exercise walk today, so I dressed for the shop.  Jeans and t-shirt.  Returning from the barn, I found the door to my house locked.  And I had to go to the bathroom when I went to the barn.  Bacon defrosting in the sink.  TV on.  No cell phone.  Empty pockets. No EDC bag.  A slight shiver of panic swept my mind.

I walked down to the in-laws.  They did not have a key to our house, and my sister-in-law had to leave for work in Danville.  I walked to our neighbors.  The neighbor gave me a phone to call [wife], a cup of coffee in a travel cup, and loaned me their car to drive to the . . . hospital [where she works] to get a key.

Driving to and from [town], I reviewed this incident, here is my take on it.

When the SHTF, you need good neighbors.  We have them!

Neighbors who are followers of Christ are even better.  They are!

My neighbor gave me coffee.  Those who refresh others will be refreshed. (Proverbs 11:25)

God was looking out for me during this entire incident.  Despite having the clothes on my back, and empty pockets, the Lord supplied a phone, a key, a coffee, and a car.  And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.  (2 Corinthians 9:8)

On the drive up I got to thinking, here I am with no driver's license, driving a car that is not mine, what if I got pulled over right now, I don't even have the neighbor's phone number!  The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.  (Psalm 121:8)

When I arrived at the hospital, I stopped to assist an elderly lady into a wheelchair.  There is always an opportunity to serve the Lord, no matter what our circumstances be.

Have a back-up plan.  I didn't.  Seek the Lord's favor daily in Prayer.

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.  (Colossians 3:17)  That's why I am sending this report.

2-Way Mirror Security Tip

Here's a security tip, especially for the ladies. If you're in a restroom, how do tell if the mirror is only a mirror or if a person or camera is behind it, spying on you?

Men, you may want to send the women in your life a link to this post.

The "fingernail test has made its rounds, and although it can give you a clue, it's not absolutely conclusive. The fingernail test says that if you put a nail against a real mirror, you will see a gap between it and the reflection, but no gap if it's a 2-way mirror.



This may give a hint, but some real mirrors have the reflective surface on the front, so it's not 100% accurate.

I like the flashlight test better. If you put a flashlight right up against the surface of a mirror (your cell phone flashlight will work), it will illuminate the space behind a 2-way mirror.



You can find these and more tips about 2-way mirrors on wiki-how

Who Says Wrist Locks Don't Work?

Who says wrist locks don't work? Not I. I own a copy of Keith Pascal's Wristlocks, and I found it packed full. It not only has techniques, but important suggestions on training, personalizing and practical application in self defense.

The animated video below is an ad for his book, but as always, Keith gives you something to think about.