de-escalation – SemperVerus

CCW Safe Lessons: How, When, and Why to Use a Firearm Lawfully

CCW Safe is the self-defense legal coverage membership program that connects members with a criminal defense attorney and helps pay for legal expenses involved in a court case following a self-defense incident. It also provides educational resources on the topic of self-defense.

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

One resource is The Armed Defender’s Dilemma. This 36-video-and-written series teaches legal and tactical lessons compiled from more than a decade of real-world court case analysis alongside criminal defense attorney Don West and firearms instructor Steve Moses.

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

Released one a month for the next 36 months, the series emphasizes that self-defense includes understanding how, when, and why to use a firearm lawfully. The lessons encourage a mindset rooted in restraint, preparation, and the ability to disengage rather than escalate, exploring the judgment and split-second decisions that determine the eventual legal outcome.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, The 5 Elements of Self-Defense Law ]

Developed by self-defense litigation expert Shawn Vincent, the debut episode shown below, titled, “The Goal of Self-Defense is to Break Contact,” explores why awareness, de-escalation, and less-lethal options give armed defenders more control. It’s a clear reminder that breaking contact isn’t weakness; it’s the smartest, most defensible strategy for surviving both the fight and its legal aftermath.

By semperverus
Posted on 11/21/202511/21/2025

Interview With Cody Blocker, Certified Protection Specialist

SemperVerus interviewed Cody Blocker, Certified Protection Specialist, founding member and past president of the Midwest Church Security Coalition, author of Protecting Your Church: Thoughts on Church Security and Leadership, and founder of Safety Systems Group, self-defense training company.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

Please describe Safety Systems Group.
Safety Systems Group is my consulting and training company that focuses on church security. I teach volunteer church security teams all the “hard skills” like defensive tactics and handguns, but I specialize in training volunteer teams in the “soft skills” of awareness, threat assessment, behavior recognition, and verbal de-escalation.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Gentle Response De-Escalation Training for Church Security Teams ]

Why have you included the topic of church security in the training you provide?
Security falls under the umbrella of stewardship. We need to protect what God has entrusted to us. I started as the director of security for a large church in the Midwest and saw the need. I have a passion for the kingdom, and I don’t like churches being seen as soft targets. I believe each church needs to have a strong stewardship value and protect itself.

By semperverus
Posted on 11/18/202511/19/2025

Enroll in the Sheepdog Church Security Academy Safety Member Certification Program

Church security teams usually consist of every-day volunteers: men and women who are passionate about doing all they can to protect their congregation from natural and man-made threats, but who are not professionally trained in law enforcement, military defense, or medical emergency skills.

[ Bookmark the SemperVerus CHURCH SECURITY INTELLIGENCE CLIPBOARD ]

SemperVerus highly recommends the Sheepdog Church Security Academy Safety Member Certification program as an excellent online training curriculum that prepares volunteers to handle the full spectrum of threats churches face today—emergency response, disruptive persons, violent intruders, and abuse. Students gain practical skills rooted in legal clarity, real-world tactics, and biblical values.

Stopped: Armed Man Threatening Mass Shooting in a Naples, Florida Church

A 23-year-old man walked into a Naples, Florida church Sunday, July 6, 2025, during the final moments of the morning worship service. Two church employees observed his erratic behavior and strange statements. He claimed to be a “trained killer,” asked how much money it would take to stop a mass shooting, and appeared to have a handgun in his waistband.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Prayer for Church Security Team Members ]

While one staff member attempted to de-escalate the situation and call 911, another discreetly moved children to safety. When deputies arrived and disarmed him, they discovered he had a loaded handgun, a round in the chamber, and three fully loaded magazines containing 60 rounds of 9mm ammunition.