Church guard gains hero status

[Sr_Sally]

This is a story about the guard at New life church that stopped the gunmen there the other day.

The gunshots echoed like thunder in the hallway filling with smoke and the panic of those who sensed death at their shoulder.

The black-clad gunman coming through the church door was bringing hell to the believers.

The only thing in his way was Jeanne Assam.

“People were running away from where the shots were fired. I saw him through the chaos,” Assam said Monday as she searched for some of the calm that carried her through the nightmare that played out inside New Life Church the day before.

“It seemed like it was me, the gunman and God,” said Assam, whose hands trembled slightly as she spoke during the afternoon news conference.

So my question is, what is an armed guard doing in a church? Even considering that there collection may be very large, why do they need regular armed security? And apparently they had more than one.

Is anyone aware of Catholic churches that regularly have armed security? Other than maybe the Pope’s bodyguards, but do they even carry guns??

 

[wifeandmomoftwo]

as to why they have armed guards…perhaps it speaks to the type of people that they attract?

Yes, some of the Swiss Guard carry guns.
And no I have never heard of a Catholic Church outside of the Vatican having armed guards.

 

[Tietjen]

I know that the Cathedral here in Nashville has Security, though I don’t know whether or not they’re armed. They’re in plain cloths (shirt, tie, slacks, jacket) so one can’t tell for sure.

 

[puzzleannie]

This is a story about the guard at New life church that stopped the gunmen there the other day.

So my question is, what is an armed guard doing in a church? Even considering that there collection may be very large, why do they need regular armed security? And apparently they had more than one.

Is anyone aware of Catholic churches that regularly have armed security? Other than maybe the Pope’s bodyguards, but do they even carry guns??

the news story said this particular church had beefed up security because of reports of the earlier shooting which was not far away, and it was a mega church with thousands of people, that seems a rational response.

yes some churches, particularly those in high crime areas, or with a lot of visitors such as in tourist or pilgrim areas, do have armed security. there were 4 news reports in the last year of nuns, priests and lay people accosted and killed (in one case raped) at Catholic churches. I have been lobbying for paid security on youth night for years but until something happens (and it will) nothing will happen.

 

[Meunke]

You are both way off.

It does not speak about who they attract, nor is it about the collection.

In a different article I read yesterday, the lady that engaged the attacker had spoken with the pastor about taking new security measures the day before after reports of the attackers first shooting spree. The pastor agreed to implement them.

I am in total favor of those who have CCW (Carry Concealed Weapon) permits carrying their weapons while in church. If this lady hadn’t, the death toll in that attack could have been MASSIVE.

Like it or not, people, churches are new targets for the deranged or even just those who want to be fameous and go ‘out with a bang.’

BTW, how long did it take for the cops to respond? Minutes, right? That’s a great response time, but a LOT OF PEOPLE CAN BE MURDERED IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES. This is especially true of someone who doesn’t care if the cops catch him and therefore doesn’t try to flee.

 

[Sr_Sally]

You are both way off.

It does not speak about who they attract, nor is it about the collection.

In a different article I read yesterday, the lady that engaged the attacker had spoken with the pastor about taking new security measures the day before after reports of the attackers first shooting spree. The pastor agreed to implement them.

I am in total favor of those who have CCW (Carry Concealed Weapon) permits carrying their weapons while in church. If this lady hadn’t, the death toll in that attack could have been MASSIVE.

Like it or not, people, churches are new targets for the deranged or even just those who want to be fameous and go ‘out with a bang.’

BTW, how long did it take for the cops to respond? Minutes, right? That’s a great response time, but a LOT OF PEOPLE CAN BE MURDERED IN A COUPLE OF MINUTES. This is especially true of someone who doesn’t care if the cops catch him and therefore doesn’t try to flee.

So the security was new because of the other shooting? And these were not regular parishioners carrying concealed weapons, these were specific church security.

It still somehow sits wrong with me that a Christian church would deliberately hire armed security for a regular Sunday service, even one in a high crime area.

 

[Sr_Sally]

Annie, have you been asking for security or armed security? Do you think the youth just need to know that the police is nearby to behave better or are you really concerned about a level of violence that armed security would be needed for?

Do you know if the police in your public high schools carry guns? Off to check if those around here do…

 

[Meunke]

So the security was new because of the other shooting? And these were not regular parishioners carrying concealed weapons, these were specific church security.

It still somehow sits wrong with me that a Christian church would deliberately hire armed security for a regular Sunday service, even one in a high crime area.

Actually, the lady was not, in the true sense of the word, hired security guards. The lady was a volunteer. So yes, these were parishoniers carrying weapons.

Sits wrong with you? Well, it sits wrong with me that someone would decide to engage in wonton butchary at a place of worship. It sits wrong with me that someone would suicide bomb women and children. It sits wrong with me that we need security for anything at all. Lots of things sit wrong with me, but this is the world, such as it is.

Again I would say: If you have a CCW, keep your weapon with you. If it is concealed properly, than there is no reason for anyone to know or be alarmed. Just because we are in God’s House doesn’t mean we have a free pass and shouldn’t have to take care of ourselves or our loved ones. If the Devil himself can enter God’s House to tempt us, than lesser forms of evil can walk in as well.

 

[Tietjen]

Actually, the lady was not, in the true sense of the word, hired security guards. The lady was a volunteer. So yes, these were parishoniers carrying weapons.

Sits wrong with you? Well, it sits wrong with me that someone would decide to engage in wonton butchary at a place of worship. It sits wrong with me that someone would suicide bomb women and children. It sits wrong with me that we need security for anything at all. Lots of things sit wrong with me, but this is the world, such as it is.

Again I would say: If you have a CCW, keep your weapon with you. If it is concealed properly, than there is no reason for anyone to know or be alarmed. Just because we are in God’s House doesn’t mean we have a free pass and shouldn’t have to take care of ourselves or our loved ones. If the Devil himself can enter God’s House to tempt us, than lesser forms of evil can walk in as well.

As a deputy sheriff, I understand where you’re coming from. However, I also understand where Sr Sally is coming from and I personally agree with her. My weapon is always with me EXCEPT when I enter Church. I won’t ridicule another if he/she feels differently about it, but I will not carry when going up before the blessed sacrament. That’s a personal thing, but it just doesn’t jive me me.

 

[Meunke]

As a deputy sheriff, I understand where you’re coming from. However, I also understand where Sr Sally is coming from and I personally agree with her. My weapon is always with me EXCEPT when I enter Church. I won’t ridicule another if he/she feels differently about it, but I will not carry when going up before the blessed sacrament. That’s a personal thing, but it just doesn’t jive me me.

I can understand what you’re saying and why you feel that way. It’s a respect vs. disrespect for the True Presence issue in your eyes, and I would agree to a point.

For sake of example: Let’s just say that Open Carry without a permit was allowed in a Church. In that case, I would NOT wear a weapon openly into Church, for the same reasons you specified.

Just thought of a side issue that would be interesting to research: Knights and nobles (Templars, Knights Hospitaler, etc.), did they carry their swords into Mass? It was a different place, time and type of people, of course, and doesn’t really apply to the discussion, but that would be interesting to research.

 

[puzzleannie]

So the security was new because of the other shooting? And these were not regular parishioners carrying concealed weapons, these were specific church security.

It still somehow sits wrong with me that a Christian church would deliberately hire armed security for a regular Sunday service, even one in a high crime area.

you would probably change your mind if you yourself were a victim, if you were accosted and saved from harm only by interventin of security guard, had your car broken into, encountered a strange apparently deranged man in the outdoor ladies lavatory and had security available to call, or had children in your care accosted at one of these large shrines that is also a pilgrimage site as well as tourist attraction in a high-crime center city area.

 

[Al_Masetti]

Some years ago, I was invited to attend a Mass specifically oriented toward pro-life which preceeded a march on the main street.

There were a LOT of “pro-choice” people outside chanting and using noise-makers.

In the confusion, a rather beefy guy in civilian clothes brushed by me and in the close contact it was obvious that he was heavily armed with a large heavy concealed weapon.

 

[Sr_Sally]

you would probably change your mind if you yourself were a victim, if you were accosted and saved from harm only by interventin of security guard, had your car broken into, encountered a strange apparently deranged man in the outdoor ladies lavatory and had security available to call, or had children in your care accosted at one of these large shrines that is also a pilgrimage site as well as tourist attraction in a high-crime center city area.

You are probably right. My car has been broken into, but in front of my apartment at the time, not at church. I have had my fair share of run ins with strange people in public places in cities, but again never at a church. In each instance I was grateful that I could call security/police as needed.

 

[57classic]

I attended Mass at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in downtown Denver several years ago. At that time there was an armed security guard who closed a theater-like rope closing off the sanctuary after the procession. I was shocked coming from a very rural small town parish but I think the guard was more for the protection of people coming and going than for protection during Mass. Downtown Denver is pretty bad.

 

[fix]

Other than maybe the Pope’s bodyguards, but do they even carry guns??

At a Swiss Guard ceremony to swear in new members of the 499-year-old papal protection corps, Benedict said that because of them a pope can “carry out his mission without worry for his own security.”
Although the guards are known for their plumed helmets and halberds, some also pack guns. Security is also provided by plainclothes agents and Italian police, who patrol outside the square and stand ready as sharpshooters atop buildings during public ceremonies…