Church security teams are a great idea. Given the number of times places of worship have been attacked, I would call it a necessity in the times we are living. Being a member of such a team is a huge responsibility with much to think about as many lives are potentially in your hands.
Training is critical for anyone taking on the responsibility, either personally or as part of a team, for anyone elses life (in addition to their own). Training specific to the environment as well as the types of actions that may need to be taken to effectively stop a threat where multiple innocent bystanders may he present, and perhaps panicked or fleeing.
In addition to environmental training, it is also critical that individuals pursue personal training, and continue to practice skills that have been learned. Firearms skills are perishable and if not reinforced on a monthly schedule, will deteriorate. Carrying a firearm without maintaining your skills results in a false sense of security that when put to the test, may not only result in failure, but could present a risk to those who have depended on you, as well as those around you when you attempt to effectivley deploy a firearm under pressure. You could actually become a threat yourself in trying to stop a threat.
When Jack Wilson stopped the gunman at the West Freeway Church of Christ in Texas, he made a single shot at 45 to 47 feet, immediately stopping the shooter from killing anyone else…and without injuring anyone else himself. When we think of self defense distances, statistically we think of 3 to 7 feet…however…realistically lives can, and are, threatened at much further distances, especially in a public gathering situation. This requires a stronger skillset as well as a firearm capable of delivering an accurate shot without further endangering innocent people.
Think about the following when you think about not only your own self defense, but the safety of others if you are in a position where lives may depend on you:
– Have you taken enough training and practiced sufficiently to place a shot at 50 feet?
– Have you actually tested yourself to know how far you can actually place a shot, and understand the limits of your skillset?
– Can you safely and quickly deploy your firearm in a crowded environment where people are potentially panicked and moving unpredictably around you?
– How long has it been since you have self validated your skills?
– Can you handle the gun you choose to carry accurately enough? If you can make the shot with the gun that lives on your nightstand, but not the light and convenient one you carry, should you instead be carrying the one from your nightstand?
– Are you confident enough in your skills to shoot an attacker while innocent people are nearby? In a public setting there will be others close by a missed shot is a threat to innocent people.
– Do you know how to maneuver in a way that you can safely and effectively get to a distance…and place…where you know you can accurately place your shot?
Think about the situation Jack Wilson found himself in, and what you could have done if you were in his place. Are you an asset to your team, or a potential risk?
Femme Fatale ARMS & Training has a carefully prescribed and systematic curriculum that takes into account physical, psychological, and biomechanical considerations, designed to build a solid foundation followed by progressive skill sets enabling students to peform effectively. From Basic Firearms Use and Safety through to our Protective Tactics classes…we can get you where you need to be.
Femme Fatale ARMS & Training is a woman-owned business that provides education and support to an over victimized and underserved segment of our population. We have programs to build confidence and skill without the intimidating aspects that tend to exist elsewhere in this industry. Our goal is customer satisfaction and loyalty. We’d appreciate an opportunity to show you how we are different, yet still, help you to accomplish your education and safety goals.
Anyone can shoot a gun, we train you to defend yourself!
Femme Fatale Arms & Training is located at 160 Malabar Road, Palm Bay, Fl. We are open Mon-Wed 10 to 5, Thurs and Fri10 to 6, and Saturday 12 to 4
