NEWS & ARTICLES
FROM CHURCH SECURITY SOLUTIONS
The Morality of Violence
Catholic and Parochial Perspectives on Protection, Grievance, and the Pathway to Targeted Attack Introduction Every Catholic parish, every parochial school, every diocesan institution eventually confronts a question that no amount of theological study fully prepares its leaders to answer: when is the use of force morally permissible to protect the people of God? The question
Sacred Ground, Shifting Threats: The Evolution of Violence Against American Houses of Worship
How Faith-Based Organizations Have Responded to an Escalating Threat and What the Future Demands Introduction It is no surprise to any student of history that religion and conflict have long been intertwined. Across centuries, faith has been invoked to fuel violence, and war has been used as a tool to advance religious agendas. These patterns
California Self-Defense and Use of Force
Duty to Retreat, Aggressor Rules, and Governing Legal Framework Executive Summary California does not have a stand-your-ground statute, but California appellate courts have held since 1923 that there is no duty to retreat before using force in self-defense when a person is not at fault. The rule is applied through jury instruction CALCRIM No. 3470
Less-Lethal Tools for Unlicensed Volunteers at California Houses of Worship: A Compliance Guide
Pepper Spray, Byrna Launchers, Bear Spray, and What California Law Actually Permits A recurring question from California houses of worship: “Our volunteers do not hold CCW permits or BSIS licenses, and we are not in a position to stand up a Private Patrol Operator structure. Can they at least carry pepper spray, a Byrna, or
Your Volunteer Safety Team and SB 1454
Practical Answers to the Questions Houses of Worship Are Actually Asking Introduction California Senate Bill 1454, effective January 1, 2024, drew a clear legal boundary between regulated security services and permissible volunteer safety activity at houses of worship. For many congregations that have operated informal safety or security teams for years, the law created immediate
Bringing Live Scan Fingerprinting In-House
A Strategic Approach to Background Screening for Nonprofit Organizations, Houses of Worship, and Private Schools Executive Summary Background screening requirements for employees, volunteers, and contractors working with children and vulnerable populations continue to expand across the United States. California’s Assembly Bill 506 (AB 506) exemplifies this trend, mandating comprehensive background checks and training for anyone