In the wake of a tragic mass shooting at a Catholic school in Minneapolis, churches in St. Louis are heightening their focus on safety. The devastating incident, which claimed the lives of two children and injured 18 others, has prompted local business owner TJ Kirgin of Tactical Sh*t in St. Peters to offer free security training to churches, aiming to prepare them for worst-case scenarios.
The New Normal: Addressing Church Safety Concerns
The reality of mass shootings has become an unfortunate part of modern society, with places of worship no longer immune to such threats. Bishop Michael Robinson of Hope National International Church emphasized the need for vigilance, stating, “It’s very alarming to us and it causes us to be on high alert at all times.” His church has implemented rehearsed plans and code words to alert congregants during emergencies, ensuring a proactive approach to safety.
TJ Kirgin, who grew up attending Catholic school masses, was deeply affected by the Minneapolis tragedy. “I just thought about how horrifying it is and how absolutely defenseless they were,” he said. Motivated to help, Kirgin is providing a free “armed usher training program” to churches, covering active shooter response, medical triage, weapon retention, and tactics.
Free Security Training for Churches
Kirgin’s training initiative is designed to equip church leaders and security teams with the skills needed to minimize loss of life and injury during an attack. The program is open to all churches, with Kirgin urging even the largest and oldest congregations to take security seriously. Interested church leaders can visit Tactical Sh*t at 4110 N. Service Rd. in St. Peters or call 636-244-3838 to enroll.
A Call to Action for Church Communities
The Minneapolis shooting has underscored the importance of preparedness. As Robinson noted, churches must continue their mission to “restore hope to our nations” while prioritizing safety. Kirgin’s free training offers a practical step toward creating safer worship environments, ensuring congregations are better protected against potential threats.
This initiative reflects a growing community effort to address safety concerns proactively, providing churches with the tools to respond effectively in emergencies.