Hosanna! Lutheran Among Churches Amping Up Security

In the wake of the shootings at Sandy Hook Elementary and at the Sikh temple in Oak Creak, Wis., some Minnesota places of worship have been scaling up their security protocols.

Hosanna! Lutheran Church in Lakeville has hired an armed police officer to sit in on services.

Mary Caroll, Hosanna's executive director, told the Star Tribune that the officer's responsibilities go beyond violence deterrence and include helping lost children and assisting in health emergencies.

“It’s kind of just being wise,”  Carroll told the paper. “But also of being realistic. ... Every church has to weigh what they think is the right balance of ... evidencing their trust in the Lord and being wise in the ways of the world.”

Hosanna's security has gained praise from gun rights activists such as Republican state Rep. Tony Cornish.

The Star Tribune has more on how churches are dealing with violence:

Carl Chinn, author of the book “Evil Invades Sanctuary,” tracks shootings and other attacks on houses of worship. In 2012, he counted 75 deaths from attacks at faith-based groups. Chinn reports there were 135 “deadly force incidents” last year; and 638 since he starting tracking incidents in 1999. Guns were used in more than half the incidents.

Evangelical Protestant megachurches in particular have sought to add both armed and unarmed guards, more security cameras and other security measures, Chinn says.

Chinn, who visits churches across the country to speak about security issues, recommends houses of worship have “limited points of entry, each monitored by someone during worship and other events.” More and more churches are also using security card and intercom systems to limit access.

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Gun laws vary from state to state, and churches also differ on how best to provide security. Some churches have added armed guards, while others ban guns at their worship sites. Some churches are reluctant to talk about their security — particularly the use of firearms — because they don’t want to be viewed as “Fort Knox,” Chinn said.