Generally, there are two accepted methods for carrying firearms: concealed carry (CCW) and open carry (OCW). There are a few states that recognize open carry. Arizona comes to mind. Most states require concealed carry, if carry is even permitted.
Open carry is just what it says: the weapon/holster has no need to be concealed. Similar to law enforcement officers who carry openly.
Concealed carry means some type of cover garment. This is usually a belt or inside-the-waistband (IWB) holster of some type with a shirt, sweater, or jacket over the holster and weapon, thereby ‘concealing’ it. For most people in most situations , this mode of carry is adequate.
Another method of carry is the ‘covert carry‘, or very deep concealment. This mode is used when absolutely no one needs to know you are armed. Let’s face it, in the modern world, there are places where you need to be armed, and no one know about it. Non-permissive environments (NPE’s) abound these days. Schools, malls, theaters, etc all post various signs to prohibit CCW, sometimes even going against state laws.
While I’m not advocating violating the law, what do you do: leave your weapon home and pray nothing happens, or covertly arm yourself just in case? Even in areas where it is totally legal to CCW, there may be time when covert carry takes precedence over mere concealment.
Church carry is one place where covert may be a better answer. We want to protect our congregations and family, but we don’t want an ‘armed camp’ atmosphere during worship time. Covert carry can be the solution when someone finding out you are armed could be a stumbling block.
Tuckable holsters: These are similar to typical belt or IWB holsters. They fasten to the belt, but the attachment is placed in such a way that the shirt can be tucked in between the shirt and jeans. The shirt can be slightly bloused out over the holster to provide more cover.
Thunderwear/Smartcarry: Brand names for two similar holsters. These are worn as a belt around the waist, with a gun pouch located in front. Put the holster on over you shirt, then pull your pants up around the gun and button them. To draw, hook the off-hand thumb into the pants waist and pull out. The gun hand then draws the weapon out.
Bellyband Holsters: Similar to the Smartcarry, but carried slighlty higher. There are also holsters of this type that are carried around the chest, with a shoulder strap. A type of shoulder holster that is carried under a tucked-in shirt. I have a model I use from Kangaroo Industries. It is a band that fastens around the chest with velcro, has a strap for over the shoulder that prevents sag, and the holster pocket is positioned under the arm. To access, I unbutton my second or third button and reach in my shirt, drawing the weapon. Several companies make this type of holster.
Pocket Holsters: These are used often for small guns, such as J-frame revolvers or small semi-automatic handguns. Good ones will stay in the pocket during the draw, not come out with the gun.
Ankle Holsters:While they have their place, ankles holsters are difficult to access the weapon from, and impossible if you are having to move off the line of fire. I find them most suitable or a back-up weapon.
Off-body Carry: These are the various purses, day planners, briefcases, etc. that have built-in holster systems. While better than nothing, I would be concerned about being separated from my weapon so easily.
Covert systems will necessarily be slower to access the weapon from. You may have to carry a more compact (read: lower capacity and/or harder to shoot) weapon. This is the price for increased concealment.
Whatever carry system you choose, practice is the key. Practice moving and drawing, accessing from seated, behind a table, on the ground. What? You say the bad guy won’t ever get the drop on you and you won’t end up on the ground? Better practice it anyway. Just in case.
Hopefully I’ve given you some points to think about, or a place to start.
Social Bookmarking Although this church security related incident occurred in September, it is very applicable now as churches look at their liability under the law in use of force incidents. Understanding use of force and its legal implications are essential to anyone beginning a church security team or churches who have instituted a security program already.
As you watch the video, place yourselves in the shoes of the man who did the stabbing and the man who was stabbed. Could this have been handled differently? Did a weapon need to be introduced. Although we don’t have all the facts, what we do know is this man believed he was in the right, but the municipal authorities disagreed. He was charged with a felony.
Synopsis: Homeless man attempts to stay on the church property. A man, identified as church security by the media, attempts to remove the man from the property. What happens next is shocking. The incident devolves into a fight, and the church security employee pulled out a knife and stabs and slashes the homeless man.
The homeless man survived, but the church security employee went to jail. I attempted to research what happened to the church employee, but was unable to locate additional information.
Considerations:
Q: Is there ever a time to disengage?
A: Yes, tactical retreat is always an option when you are in over your head, don’t have a radio or cell phone to call for help, or have limited abilities to handle a threat. There is no shame in disengagement. It is smart.
Q: Does a church security guard have the right to physically remove someone?
A: If someone is a danger and you can articulate why you did something, then yes, there may be times when it is appropriate.
However, would it be easier to step back, contain the situation, and call the police? Absolutely! This would be the preferred course of action if it is at all possible. If there person wants to leave without hurting anyone, be a great witness. Get the description, plate number or any other identifying characteristic you can think of and let the police do their job. You have done your job because your church is safe and nobody has been hurt.
Often times, when people are engaged in a physical altercation, it is because the verbal portion of the confrontation didn’t go so well. There are simple verbal tactics you can use to calm a situation down and there are definite “triggers” that can increase the amount of violence you may face.
Q: Is a knife a good weapon to carry?
A: It depends on how you look at it. From a personal perspective and analyzing how difficult it might be to use a knife on someone, I think most people would agree a knife is a tool that is a last ditch effort to save your own life. Is it appropriate? Within the church security setting, I would have to say it is not appropriate. There are better options for self protection that are less lethal and work better to subdue someone who is attacking you. Never mind the public relations nightmare of having to explain why a church (who professes the love of God to everybody) has its church security team carrying knives for self protection. Who wants to stand before a camera and explain why somebody was stabbed on your property?
Protect yourself and your church against criminal and civil liability by understanding the law and what you are allowed to do. Two resources available for church security team training, verbal communications and Force Liability Reduction can be found at Church Security Alliance’s Store at a discount of $10 for the set.
Watch the video below to see how the media handled the incident, and place yourself in his shoes. This, I am sure you would agree, is not what anybody would want to see happen. Train!
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