Active Shooter Preparedness

Sunday, August 5^th, in a suburb of Milwaukee, a lone gunman entered a Sikh temple, opened fire and killed six people before he himself was shot and killed. Reports say that there have been at least three other men who were shot but will recover. The investigation, led by the FBI, is currently ongoing and more information will be released as it is made available.

What’s the Christian Response?

Early in the morning on July 20, 2012, a lone gunman entered a movie theater and opened fire shooting 71 people; 12 of which died. Investigation is ongoing, but they have a suspect in custody.

This “active shooter” is an isolated incident, yet there are precautions that can be taken to help prepare for such an event as well as to help assist others in a similar situation.

The Biblical Response to an Active Shooter

On Wednesday Department of Homeland Security and the FBI issued a bulletin to DHS partners across the nation that while there is no specific threat to the U.S. known at this time, they remain concerned “lone wolf” terrorists could use the date to avenge the death of former Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin Laden.

In open source websites terrorist groups such as Al-Shabaab in Somalia, Northern Africa’s Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, and the Pakistani Taliban have called for revenge against the United States for killing bin Laden during the May 1, 2011, raid on his hideout in Pakistan. Websites indicate Al Qaeda or its affiliates would view an attack ‘on this anniversary as a symbolic victory,’ especially in the wake of losses suffered by Al Qaeda through U. S. drone attacks and other efforts overseas.

This comes as a reminder to report suspicious activity to your local law enforcement. It is a call for vigilance and community responsiveness.

Multiple shots were fired at Oikos University, a Korean Christian college in Oakland, CA earlier today, April 2, 2012. Although still in the early stages of discovery and response, “Authorities said two people have been shot in the head and at least six people were wounded,” according to Fox News. There is at least one fatal wounding from the shooting. This event is an active, ongoing event unfolding and more information will be made available as the event unfolds.

Local station, ABC7, is live-streaming coverage on this story: http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/livenow?id=6387369.

Pray for God's work to be done amidst this tragedy and in the recovery days ahead for the families, friends, neighbors and community. God's comfort, hope and acceptance can minister to many lives in the coming days.

In working on an article I was thinking of how many of our officers or members may use their skills, training and experiences to help make their church, synagogue or ministry a safer and more secure place for staff, members, visitors or guests, and themselves and their friends and family. I hope you might help me get some views of activity on this.

If you are actively involved I hope you will tell me a bit about what you do, how you may use your training and/or experiences and , if not involved, share more on that also.

Some of the questions I have are: Does your site have a written Plan for safety security? Is it printed and available in class rooms, halls or other places occupied at times?

I believe that God calls us to be Good Shepherds and Good Stewards to the flock that He guides and provides and the facilities, members and guests that He calls to us there. I would hope that the church is a place of safety and security by being aware of the need to be ready and ready as His Word proclaims, for we don’t know the day or hour of His return.

Sadly we live in a world of hate, terror & evil acts against His church. Only by being aware of the risk and dangers and having a Plan and Teams to carry-out the Plan can we really be ready for the task of protecting His flock and the assets He has provided for us to use to serve Him and His people.

It is too late if the attack comes before we are ready and able to have a defense.