FASTACT LLC

Do you realize that Louisiana statutes (law) require church members to receive 8 hours of additional tactical training ANNUALLY in addition to possessing a valid concealed carry permit prior to carrying in church?  Additionally, the pastor must notify the church that he has allowed certified members to carry (but not by name of course)?  I figured you knew that already. However, it can be expensive to conduct this training for gun carrying members every year.  Why not consider sending us one of your highly motivated congregants capable of being the person who conducts the training for your church.  This approach can save you thousands of dollars each year.  I recommend sending us congregants with Law Enforcement Officer Experience.  However, this is not a requirement.  We will train them to be the “CHURCH TRAINER” using Nationally Approved Standards that withstand the test of prosecution. Beware of self-taught or YouTube training that cannot be verified or utilized to mount a strong case against a malicious lawsuit related to actions taken by a church security team member.  

Churches should first consider one of four (4) options before allowing concealed carry:

Option # 1) THIS OPTION DOES NOT REQUIRE THE CHURCH TO BE INVOLVED WITH THE TRAINING PROCESS.  The congregants seek out the training on their own after receiving permission from their spiritual leader.  In this scenario, the Pastor approves of people carrying guns in church, but does not want the full responsibility or liability of having an official team.  This option is ideal for small churches that do not have a budget to pay for the training.  Or, the church simply does not want to pay for the training.  And, the congregation does not want the legal responsibility of offering their own training through a church volunteer or hired professional.  YES CHURCHES THAT OFFER THEIR OWN TRAINING, OR SOLICIT TRAINING FROM AN OUTSIDE SOURCE, ARE LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE TRAINING THEY SET UP FOR THEIR CONGREGANTS.  DO NOT TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY LIGHTLY.  This option does not require an Insurance rider to cover for the team since each member is taking responsibility their own actions.  

Option #2) REQUIRES THE CHURCH TO BE INTIMATELY INVOLVED WITH THE TRAINING PROCESS.  CHURCH IS FULLY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTIONS OF THE TEAM EVEN IF THEY ARE TRAINED BY SOMEONE OUTSIDE OF THE CHURCH.  With this option, the church decides to have an official armed or unarmed security team.  This action makes the church vicariously liable (See definition below) for the type of training the team receives.  Furthermore, the church should develop a standard operating procedure (SOP) to guide the response or conduct of the team.  The SOP ensures the team is properly trained to meet the SOP requirements, and covers the church is a team member acts against the procedures in the SOP.  All this assumes that the church actually trained its members regarding the content of the SOP, regularly updated the SOP, and provided recurring training to refresh knowledge about the content of the SOP.  Actions taken by the security detail are the responsibility of the church and most insurance companies, especially in Louisiana, will require a rider on the current policy.  Typically the cost is an annual expanse of $500 per gun with a two gun maximum.  In other words, $1000 will allow you to have as many guns as you desire on campus at the same time. The responsibility for this option is significant for the church.  Churches should consider who they send their people to to get training.  You want to get the best training money can buy, because it is much cheaper to pay for legitimate training as compared to defending against a frivolous lawsuit resulting from a poorly prepared and/or trained team.  I HEAR THIS STATEMENT ALL THE TIME, “We will train our own people because the law is so vague we can do what we want.”  Well, this logic DOES NOT consider the jury and what they think about your decision.  And, this logic DOES NOT consider case law that well defines the need to have a trainer who is certified to a legitimate Standard (We use certified NRA and NRA LEO Instructors and standards).  Since people are carrying guns to protect citizens in a densely crowded environment, and will have similar responsibilities or assumed responsibilities to defeat threats normally dealt with by active duty law enforcement officers, a good training plan incorporates the use of an Instructor who possesses advanced level NRA and law enforcement instructor certifications.  Training should include other important topics, not just gun training alone.  Tactical training, however, is by definition gun training.  Do not skimp on the gun training.  8 hours of GUN “Tactical” training.  Everyone I trained needed it.  Concealed carry training is not training.  It is not.  I don’t care who trained you.  Concealed carry training is education.

Option #3) CHURCH IS ABLE TO AFFORD TO HIRE LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS (LEOs) AND THIS OPTION DOES NOT CARRY THE LIABILITY OF A TRAINED TEAM.  Hire an active law enforcement officer to watch the flock for you.  No liability on the church because the LEOs agency carries all liability.  The cost of an active LEO to watch the flock ranges from $30-$60 per hour unless they volunteer their time.  In a year’s time, it would cost the church approximately $10,000-$15,000 to cover an aggressive church schedule.  More is required for additional officers—a small price to pay for a well-trained professional.

Option #4) HYBRID using both LEOs and trained civilians to watch the flock.  This option is great for large churches with large campuses and large budgets.  Actually, this option is a must in today’s large church environment.  Large churches present soft targets to EVIL people.  Approximately 50% of church lethal force incidents are carried out by people who are known to the church.  It is easy for bad people to masquerade among the congregation (Think sexual predators) of a large church unnoticed.  Large churches require much more attention and planning.  Furthermore, terrorist plotters (Domestic and foreign) strive to cause the most damage possible with the least amount of risk to being caught or killed prior to the action (They plan on eventually dyeing).  Large gatherings of people are high on a terrorist’s priority list.  Thank GOD for protecting the church like He has.  There have no MAJOR foreign terrorist attacks on USA churches, but this is not true around the globe.  Our current issue is domestic in nature-home grown incidents. 

VICARIOUS LIABILITY.  Vicarious liability is a legal doctrine that assigns liability for an injury to a person who did not cause the injury but who has a particular legal relationship to the person who did act negligently.  This is the doctrine that applies to churches that have formally approved their own security teams.  CHURCHES ARE RESPONSIBLE TO MAKE SURE THE TRAINING THEY PROVIDE IS LEGIT!!!  Churches are required to prepare their teams to handle the situations they may encounter while in the course of their duties.  Failure to take into account vicarious liability exposes the church, or their insurance policy, to attack in the courts.  Take training seriously.  Do not test this theory, or do not be the test model for this theory.  I believe God expects us to be diligent and purposeful in our actions.  

Want to become an Advanced Pistol Instructor and Chruch Tactical Team Trainer?

Basic Pistol Instructor (pre-requisite for Advanced Pistol Instructor) May 11-13 (Intense 3 Day course) $500

Advanced Pistol Instructor/Church Tactical Trainer

April 14th $300

Call (337) 853-8223 for more details about the courses offered.