situational awareness – Page 3

US Secret Service Threat Assessment Church Case Study Links Domestic Violence with Mass Attacks

The US Secret Service National Threat Assessment Center (NTAC) has published, First Baptist Church of Sutherland Springs: A Case Study on the Link Between Domestic Violence and Mass Attacks.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Criminals and Terrorists Overwhelmingly Select Gun-Free Zones For Mass Attacks in Public Spaces ]

The 40-page report examines the background and behavioral history of the gunman who killed 26 people, including his wife’s grandmother, and wounded an additional 22 others in the attack at the church in Texas on November 5, 2017.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Shooting Analysis Reports ]

The attacker had a long history of domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual violence perpetrated against friends, family members, and others.

Understand the Times and Know What to Do

The Bible’s books of First & Second Samuel and First & Second Chronicles recount ancient Israel as heavily defended by tribal influence and force.

[ Read SemperVerus articles on the topic of SPIRITUAL FITNESS ]

The country’s first king, Saul, rallied his fighting coalition to ward off the nation’s enemies. However, his reign began to end when he disobeyed God, and the young David became the LORD‘s anointed.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Church Security Review: House of Worship Firearms and Use of Force Policy ]

God selected the shepherd-poet to become a warrior of national renown, beginning with defending Israel by dispatching the Philistine Goliath with slingshot precision and beheading him. David describes his expertise with defensive weapons in 2 Samuel 22:35, which states, “He trains my hands for battle, so that my arms can bend a bow of bronze” and is repeated in Psalm 18:34. And he reiterates it in Psalm 144:1, “Praise be to the LORD my Rock, who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.”

By semperverus
Posted on 05/28/202506/05/2025
3 Comments on Understand the Times and Know What to Do

US Agency Reports 35 Countries Continue to Repress Religious Freedom

The US Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has issued its 2025 Annual Report of countries it considers to be the most egregious violators of religious liberty.

[ Read the SemperVerus article, Terrorists Call for Attacks on Christians ]

The report’s recommendations begin with “the prompt appointment of an Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, who leads initiatives through the US Department of State to highlight and address religious freedom concerns around the world.” President Trump has nominated former North Carolina Congressman Mark Walker for that position. If confirmed by the Senate, as expected, Walker will be the seventh person to serve in this role.

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.