In today’s unpredictable world and increased violence, even places of worship are not immune to acts of violence and are on the rise in the United States. Christian churches have historically been viewed as sanctuaries of peace and refuge, but modern threats require a new level of preparedness. Understanding how to prevent casualties in the event of a church shooting starts with proactive planning, safety awareness, and professional active shooter training for churches.
As a retired Utah law enforcement officer and licensed firearms training instructor, I emphasize that prevention begins long before an attack occurs. Churches must establish a security plan tailored to their size, layout, threat level and congregation. This plan should include clear emergency procedures, designated safety leaders, and a communication system to alert members in seconds. The goal of active shooter training for churches is not to create fear, but to foster confidence and preparedness.
1. Build a Safety Team
Every church, regardless of size, should form a volunteer safety team composed of members who are trained in observation, communication, and emergency response. These individuals should receive ongoing active shooter training, best to train in your building, if possible, to understand threat indicators, defensive positioning, and evacuation procedures. Vetting is key here when looking for volunteers; you wouldn’t want someone afraid of guns to be the one with the gun designated to neutralize active threats, rather they may be more suitable for other security tasks.
2. Conduct Drills and Scenarios
Just like fire drills, active shooter response drills save lives. When church members know where to go, how to lock down, and when to evacuate, panic is reduced, and order is maintained. Professional instructors can design active shooter training for churches that simulate real-life situations to test readiness in a safe environment.
Active shooter training:
When I was a young deputy sheriff for the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office, active shooter training became a thing following the Columbine High School tragedy. Using four-man tactical teams and 6-member rescue squads are very effective for both training and real-life use when faced with an active deadly threat. The use of sim rounds (plastic bullets) with protective gear is also a great tool to use in these drills to test the volunteer’s ability to work through a stressful deadly threat with a simulated adrenaline response.
Building searches for active shooters:
When I attended the S.W.A.T. Basic tactics course in 2022, we spent the majority of the weeklong course in a shoot house, “walking walls” with AR-15 rifles and handguns, sweeping doorways etc. This type of training is highly recommended to do in your building with your teams.
3. Secure the Facility
Simple measures—like locking side doors during services, installing surveillance cameras, and maintaining one monitored entry point (with a live person there)—can dramatically lower risk. Visible safety measures also act as deterrents to potential attackers.
4. Foster Awareness and Community Engagement
Encourage congregants to report unusual behavior or suspicious visitors. Awareness is the first line of defense. Combining faith and vigilance allows the church to remain welcoming while still being watchful.
5. Partner with Local Law Enforcement
Church leadership should build relationships with local police or sheriff’s departments to coordinate response plans. Many departments offer free or low-cost active shooter training for churches that can be customized to fit your specific environment.
Preparedness is an act of stewardship. By investing time in active shooter training for churches, congregations can protect lives, maintain order, and preserve the sanctity of worship.
Contact me if you would like a personal consultation for your church group by going to our contact page. https://TexasLTCtrainingacademy.com/contact-us/
Here is a character and employment reference from West Jordan Justice Court Judge Ronald Kunz, given to me after working in his court.
The Author of this post Phil Snyder is Christian, a retired Utah law enforcement officer with 30-years of training and experience mostly in Patrol, Field Training Officer, Mental Health Crisis Intervention, Court Security in the Salt Lake County Justice Courts. Phil is also licensed in Both Texas and Utah as a Concealed Firearms Instructor.