Learn how California's new SB 1454 law affects church security teams, licensing requirements, and the risk your ministry may face if not in compliance.
Ah, the beauty of living in a (relatively) free state and having an organic and informal security "team". It's posted right on the doors - "lawful concealed carry permitted". We worship together, some of us work together at our secular jobs, we hunt together, we have informal and spontaneous range get-togethers. We do not have a uniform or dress code. WE know who we are and what to do. We are ungovernable.
I can't fathom living in a failed state with an out of control government like California. Our founding fathers would have busted out the feathers and have the tar warming already.
Thanks Keith for this information, my team is in regular clothes, some are armed. My question is we have id badges on lanyards, would that be considered the same as being in uniform as far as legal stand point? I'm in Tennessee and trying to get this safety team off the ground, but having a lot of problems getting the information I need from the church administration. Would you have any thing that could help me persuade them to help me get what I need? Been trying now almost 4 months. Thanks
This makes no sense, so we volunteer and we are targets, yet we are still not covered?? I understand we need some guidelines, but REALLY? I personally feel if we save lives, go with it and stay on track. And I am part of a safety team and will not stop my service.
It's not just California. Several weeks ago, we were informed by someone from our church's liability insurance company that we may be subject to Wisconsin's Statue 440.26 regarding licensing for Private Security Personnel. When I inquired to the WI Dept of Safety & Prof Services if the statute applies to volunteers at churches, I was also quoted our statute:
"Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute section 440.26(1)(a)2., no person may act as a private security person unless they have been issued a permit by the Department. It does not appear that your situation falls within the exemptions Wis. Stat. s. 440.26(5). Accordingly, we recommend licensure."
Their definition of a private security person includes "...any person who stands watch for security purposes", not just uniformed or LE. My CCW attorney (Right To Bear! :) ) reviewed it and could not dismiss it outright either. So I am still in the throes of working with an attorney, and my state representative and senator to get clarification. Most of our churches use a "Safety Team" variation and take an "enhanced greeter" position, as you've mentioned many times. It is so frustrating when our churches simply want to be able to protect their congregations while being compliant with the law.
I will post back when I get a definitive answer, if that ever happens!
I will have to meet with our security chief and figure this out. I am retired Leo but we do wear a security shirt. I like the safety team idea although knowing California, they will consider that security as well.
Thank you for your information and advice. There is only one thing I would add. I base this on news articles of mass shootings and home invasion events. Most actual shooting events happen quickly and are over quickly, long before police arrive. To my mind, that means that there should be time for a church’s security team to secure their weapons before police arrive. Or am I missing something?
Wow. That's a lot to process. In NY our churches can't use "Security," unless they are trained under NYS security guard licensing. Our church wear identifiable outfits (usually polos) with Staff on them.
Keith - it's Glenn from Post Falls. You mentioned one of your live events at Calvary Chapel Chine Hills at the end of May. Can you please provide the specific date and how to register to attend?
Keith, thank you for writing and sharing this article. Your analysis helps clear the murk that BSIS cannot. As you know, I went back and forth with BSIS for 9 months before I got clarity on this topic. I intentionally created a church safety team procedures and guidelines plan for California churches that includes the accepted language from BSIS, legislation, immunity laws and insurance for armed/unarmed teams and medical personnel. I believe I sent you a copy of the Idaho plan. If anyone needs help with their plans and procedures, go to https://churchsecuritysolutions.org/ Keep up the great work you are doing!!
I am an attorney. Oklahoma (believe it or not) has a very similar setup. The legislature refuses to exempt uncompensated volunteer security teams and leaves the statutory interpretation so vague that a prosecutor can do just about anything he wants. The real problem here in Oklahoma is not the regulatory violations of the Oklahoma Security Guard and Private Investigators Act which have rather mild penalties but rather the fact that violation of that act automatically escalates any other possible charges into in the commission of a crime or "other illegal activity" language of a host of other statutes. Using the regulatory violation as a bootstrap, a prosecutor can literally throw the book at a church security team member. For example three or more security team members responding to a disturbance at their church or on the property could be charged with riot since Oklahoma statutes make no distinction between inciting a riot and defending against one. This lets the prosecutor charge whichever side is more politically favorable. Further, Oklahoma has a particularly strong "anti-paramilitary activity" statute which makes organization and training which includes the present ability to project force of any kind a felony. This lets the prosecutor legally label the people who defended AND THE PEOPLE WHO TRAINED THEM as "TERRORISTS" or "MILITIA." This is a national movement aimed to assuring that citizens and particularly churches are not able to organize and train to defend themselves, their families and their churches/communities.
Let this be a lesson to churches who have failed to oppose laws that steal our liberty because of government's promise to exempt religious organizations.
This is merely a promise to "eat us last." They always come after us eventually.
Ah, the beauty of living in a (relatively) free state and having an organic and informal security "team". It's posted right on the doors - "lawful concealed carry permitted". We worship together, some of us work together at our secular jobs, we hunt together, we have informal and spontaneous range get-togethers. We do not have a uniform or dress code. WE know who we are and what to do. We are ungovernable.
I can't fathom living in a failed state with an out of control government like California. Our founding fathers would have busted out the feathers and have the tar warming already.
Love living in an open carry state myself
Thanks Keith for this information, my team is in regular clothes, some are armed. My question is we have id badges on lanyards, would that be considered the same as being in uniform as far as legal stand point? I'm in Tennessee and trying to get this safety team off the ground, but having a lot of problems getting the information I need from the church administration. Would you have any thing that could help me persuade them to help me get what I need? Been trying now almost 4 months. Thanks
This makes no sense, so we volunteer and we are targets, yet we are still not covered?? I understand we need some guidelines, but REALLY? I personally feel if we save lives, go with it and stay on track. And I am part of a safety team and will not stop my service.
I hope it applies to bill gates protecting team to remove their guns and feed him to the lions
It's not just California. Several weeks ago, we were informed by someone from our church's liability insurance company that we may be subject to Wisconsin's Statue 440.26 regarding licensing for Private Security Personnel. When I inquired to the WI Dept of Safety & Prof Services if the statute applies to volunteers at churches, I was also quoted our statute:
"Pursuant to Wisconsin Statute section 440.26(1)(a)2., no person may act as a private security person unless they have been issued a permit by the Department. It does not appear that your situation falls within the exemptions Wis. Stat. s. 440.26(5). Accordingly, we recommend licensure."
Their definition of a private security person includes "...any person who stands watch for security purposes", not just uniformed or LE. My CCW attorney (Right To Bear! :) ) reviewed it and could not dismiss it outright either. So I am still in the throes of working with an attorney, and my state representative and senator to get clarification. Most of our churches use a "Safety Team" variation and take an "enhanced greeter" position, as you've mentioned many times. It is so frustrating when our churches simply want to be able to protect their congregations while being compliant with the law.
I will post back when I get a definitive answer, if that ever happens!
Thanks Keith,
I will have to meet with our security chief and figure this out. I am retired Leo but we do wear a security shirt. I like the safety team idea although knowing California, they will consider that security as well.
Thank you for your information and advice. There is only one thing I would add. I base this on news articles of mass shootings and home invasion events. Most actual shooting events happen quickly and are over quickly, long before police arrive. To my mind, that means that there should be time for a church’s security team to secure their weapons before police arrive. Or am I missing something?
Wow. That's a lot to process. In NY our churches can't use "Security," unless they are trained under NYS security guard licensing. Our church wear identifiable outfits (usually polos) with Staff on them.
Keith - it's Glenn from Post Falls. You mentioned one of your live events at Calvary Chapel Chine Hills at the end of May. Can you please provide the specific date and how to register to attend?
Thanks.
Keith, thank you for writing and sharing this article. Your analysis helps clear the murk that BSIS cannot. As you know, I went back and forth with BSIS for 9 months before I got clarity on this topic. I intentionally created a church safety team procedures and guidelines plan for California churches that includes the accepted language from BSIS, legislation, immunity laws and insurance for armed/unarmed teams and medical personnel. I believe I sent you a copy of the Idaho plan. If anyone needs help with their plans and procedures, go to https://churchsecuritysolutions.org/ Keep up the great work you are doing!!
I am an attorney. Oklahoma (believe it or not) has a very similar setup. The legislature refuses to exempt uncompensated volunteer security teams and leaves the statutory interpretation so vague that a prosecutor can do just about anything he wants. The real problem here in Oklahoma is not the regulatory violations of the Oklahoma Security Guard and Private Investigators Act which have rather mild penalties but rather the fact that violation of that act automatically escalates any other possible charges into in the commission of a crime or "other illegal activity" language of a host of other statutes. Using the regulatory violation as a bootstrap, a prosecutor can literally throw the book at a church security team member. For example three or more security team members responding to a disturbance at their church or on the property could be charged with riot since Oklahoma statutes make no distinction between inciting a riot and defending against one. This lets the prosecutor charge whichever side is more politically favorable. Further, Oklahoma has a particularly strong "anti-paramilitary activity" statute which makes organization and training which includes the present ability to project force of any kind a felony. This lets the prosecutor legally label the people who defended AND THE PEOPLE WHO TRAINED THEM as "TERRORISTS" or "MILITIA." This is a national movement aimed to assuring that citizens and particularly churches are not able to organize and train to defend themselves, their families and their churches/communities.
Sounds like California wants to open the door for more soft target shootings. We all know that criminals don’t give a rip about laws.
Is there a way to switch to First Aid-type insignia? Or possibly run the staff through an EMR course, so they're actually licensed as medical?
If this is done, does California prohibit concealed carry by medical personnel?
Let this be a lesson to churches who have failed to oppose laws that steal our liberty because of government's promise to exempt religious organizations.
This is merely a promise to "eat us last." They always come after us eventually.
Excellent article/blog and may our God continue to give you wisdom and boldness to keep up the good work!
So we get him closer to his zero breathing our air