VI – Self-Defense – Page 8

Benefit From the Church Emergency Response Network

MAGEN DAVID ADOM, Israel’s Red Cross, describes itself as the most experienced mass-casualty response organization in the world.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Security Training: Decision Decks Help You Think Through a Crisis Before It Happens ]

As Israel’s national ambulance, blood services, and disaster relief organization, the 30,000 mostly volunteer workers of Magen David Adom (Hebrew for “Red Star of David”) respond to 8 million calls a year.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Understand the Times and Know What to Do ]

Because of the wars and repeated terrorist attacks against Israel, the non-profit agency has emerged as a world leader in emergency medical services.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Directory of Medical Kit Resources ]

American Friends of Magen David Adom has created the Church Emergency Response Network to enable its EMTs and paramedics to share with pastors, church leaders, and houses-of-worship security/safety teams the many lessons they’ve learned through assassin onslaughts, criminal assaults, natural disasters, auto accidents, physical maladies, and more.

Church Security Review: House of Worship Firearms and Use of Force Policy

One of the first responsibilities of a church security/safety team director is to set in writing the policies and procedures of the team to provide clarity in direction and purpose for church leadership and members to exercise sound judgment in the daily security and safety of the church.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Checklist: Church Security/Safety Equipment ]

Policies explain what and why things are done. Procedures explain how things are done. The wide-ranging document typically covers a broad range of categories, including fire, medical, lost child, and more. A model can be found at Southern Mutual Church Insurance Company and a guide is at Sheepdog Church Security and at Christian Warrior Training.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Security Book Review: Defending the Flock ]

In addition to writing a safety manual that covers general topics for your team, another best practice is to create a separate document dedicated to explaining specifically when and what type of force should and should not be used, since violent bad actors seem to be increasingly targeting houses of worship. Armed congregant security teams, especially, should have written policies regarding their firearms training and the use of non-lethal or less-lethal force methods as well.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Organizing, Training & Running a House of Worship Armed Congregant Security Team ]

Emanuel Kapelsohn, an honors graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School who has practiced law since 1978 in New York, Pennsylvania, and other states, and who is president of The Peregrine Corporation, has created the House of Worship Firearms Use of Force Policy (as a service to SemperVerus readers, Mr. Kapelsohn is making this policy bundle available at a $25 discount from the regular price of $424.50. Order the bundle here. Then, on the checkout page, simply type in the discount promo code SEMPERVERUS25).

SemperVerus received a complimentary copy of the House of Worship Firearms Use of Force Policy for review purposes.

Church Security Team Handgun Qualification Drill

Close Combat Course

Distance: 3 Yards
Time: 4 Seconds per target exposure
Target: TCQ-95 (2 targets minimum 3 feet apart)
Rounds: 6 Rounds
Position:
    Exposure 1 — From the holster, draw and fire 1 round at each target
    Exposure 2 — From the holster, draw and fire 1 round at each target
    Exposure 3 — With handgun in the support hand only, fire 1 round at each target.
Score: All rounds must be in the combat scoring area

The Elements That Comprise Proper Training for Concealed Carriers

When you purchase your first firearm as a concealed carry self-defense protection tool, you must do so with the realization that your investment cost doesn’t end there.

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of INTRODUCTION TO FIREARMS ]

Along with the requisite secure storage container, holster, sturdy belt, ear-and-eye protection, ammunition, and attendance in a minimum-hour course for a state-mandated permit (in certain states), you have now entered a lifelong commitment of regular training to be a responsible, accurate, proficient, and safe gun owner.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, The 4 Basic Rules of Gun Safety ]

The website Concealed Nation has published an excellent article that lists and briefly explains the essential facets to bear in mind as you enter into this lifestyle. It covers the following areas:

By semperverus
Posted on 05/03/202505/27/2025