Church Safety Team Firearms Training Standards

A Realistic Approach to Readiness

Ensuring the safety of a congregation is a serious responsibility that goes beyond merely arming a church security team. A true safety ministry requires realistic training, objective evaluation, tactical preparedness, and holistic emergency response knowledge. Many church security teams fail to train properly, often focusing only on basic marksmanship rather than real-world scenarios that simulate actual threats.

The podcast episode "Church Safety Teams: The Truth About Firearms Training Standards" highlights the importance of firearms proficiency, tactical training, and liability reduction for church safety teams. This article expands on those insights, providing actionable recommendations and best practices for building a responsible, well-trained, and legally sound church security team.

The Need for Realistic and Consistent Firearms Training

A common mistake in church safety training is failing to replicate real-world conditions. Many teams practice in controlled environments where shooting is static, stress is absent, and drills do not mimic realistic threats. Unfortunately, actual incidents unfold rapidly and unpredictably, often in low-light conditions, crowded areas, and under extreme stress.

Training as You Fight

One of the biggest issues with traditional firearms training is the use of open carry holsters during practice. This does not reflect how most safety team members carry inside the church. In reality, most members carry concealed, meaning:

• Drawing the firearm from concealment must be practiced extensively to ensure a smooth and efficient draw under stress.
• Different types of clothing (jackets, untucked shirts, etc.) should be accounted for in training.
• Practicing drawing from seated positions (such as pews or chairs) is essential, as many security team members will be seated when an incident occurs.

Movement-Based Shooting

Real-world shootouts are not static. Unlike range practice where shooters stand still and fire at stationary targets, actual engagements require:

• Moving to cover or concealment while drawing a firearm.
• Firing from various angles rather than a straight, squared-off stance.
• Practicing retreating, advancing, and using lateral movement while engaging threats.

Low-Light and No-Light Training

Church security incidents often occur in dimly lit environments such as evening services, parking lots, or poorly lit hallways. Training should include:

• Using handheld or weapon-mounted flashlights effectively.
• Understanding target identification under low-light conditions to prevent friendly fire incidents.
• Practicing shooting in near-total darkness to simulate power outages or night-time attacks.

Stress Drills and Decision-Making

A common training flaw is not incorporating stress and decision-making into firearms drills. In an actual incident, safety team members will experience:

• Adrenaline rush, causing shaky hands, tunnel vision, and impaired fine motor skills.
• Confusion and competing stimuli, making decision-making difficult.
• High-pressure scenarios where split-second choices have life-or-death consequences.

Training should include stressors such as:

• Time limits to force quick but accurate shooting.
• Loud noises (screaming, alarms, gunfire sounds) to replicate real-world distractions.
• Scenario-based decision-making drills where team members must identify threats before firing.

Key Takeaway:

"Train as you fight." A church security team’s training must match the environment and challenges they will face inside the church.

Objective Standards for Firearms Proficiency

Rather than imposing rigid pass/fail qualifications, a better approach is "demonstrating firearms proficiency." This allows for measurable improvement without penalizing members for small errors.

Using Established Standards

One of the best objective benchmarks is the FBI Qualification Course, which includes:

• Shooting from various distances (close-quarters to longer engagements).
• Drawing from a concealed holster under time pressure.
• Shooting from different positions, such as kneeling or using cover.

Another important consideration is target selection. Many safety teams use the QIT-99 target, a bowling pin-shaped silhouette, but a more realistic option is a human silhouette target. This helps:

• Desensitize trainees to shooting at a human-shaped target in a high-stress situation.
• Improve real-world accuracy by training with anatomically accurate aiming zones.

Time Pressure and Accuracy

Adding a time component to drills forces shooters to perform under stress. For example, a qualification drill may require:

• Drawing and firing two rounds in under 2 seconds from concealment.
• Engaging multiple targets within a limited timeframe.

Time pressure exposes weaknesses and helps shooters build confidence in real-world scenarios.

Key Takeaway:

Rather than a rigid pass/fail system, safety teams should assess proficiency using objective standards and track progress over time.

Hiring External Firearms Instructors for Liability Protection

A crucial recommendation from the podcast is to hire professional firearms instructors for annual qualifications. This reduces bias, improves safety, and provides legal protection for the church.

Benefits of External Instructors

1. Impartiality – An outside instructor removes bias from qualification decisions.
2. Expertise – Certified trainers provide updated tactics and safety procedures.
3. Liability Protection – If an incident occurs, having third-party verification of firearms training protects the church legally.

Key Takeaway:

Bringing in an NRA-certified or law enforcement firearms instructor ensures fair, professional, and liability-conscious training.

Beyond the Range: Comprehensive Tactical Training

Shooting at paper targets in a controlled environment does not prepare safety teams for real-world engagements. Tactical training must include:

• Shooting from cover (pews, doorways, pillars).
• Low-light engagement drills using flashlights.
• Engaging moving threats instead of static targets.
• Using radios to communicate effectively during an incident.

A Security Team Must Be More Than Just Armed Guards

Firearms are only one part of church security. Safety team members must also be trained in:

• Medical emergencies (CPR, first aid, trauma care).
• De-escalation techniques to handle confrontations peacefully.
• Fire safety and evacuation procedures.
• Child protection and abuse prevention.

The Sheepdog Church Security Academy offers comprehensive training that prepares safety teams for a variety of emergencies beyond active shooter situations.

Final Recommendations

To build a highly effective church safety team, implement these best practices:

• Adopt Realistic Training Methods – Train from concealment, while moving, and under stress.
• Use Objective Standards – Assess proficiency with FBI qualification benchmarks.
• Hire External Experts – Bring in certified instructors to run annual qualifications.
• Expand Tactical Training – Include low-light shooting, cover drills, and radio communication.
• Prepare for All Emergencies – Ensure team members train in medical, de-escalation, and child protection.

By combining firearms proficiency with tactical and holistic preparedness, churches can effectively protect their congregations while staying legally and ethically responsible.

Final Thought

"Firearms are just one tool in a safety team's toolbox. True preparedness comes from training, mindset, and a commitment to protecting others in all situations."