It’s the most sacred place in so many our lives, yet are we really safe inside our houses of worship? Religious institutions are designed to give us a sense of peace and serenity as soon as we walk through the door. Unfortunately, many recent acts of violence have shattered that sense of security.
The Tragic History of Attacks on Religious Institutions
In the past 10 years, there have been mass shooting events at churches, synagogues, and temples across the U.S. In fact, two of the deadliest mass shootings in our country happened while people gathered in prayer.
In October 2018 in Pittsburgh, a gunman opened fire in the Tree of Life synagogue, killing 11 congregants.
At First Baptist Church in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in November 2017, a gunman shot two people dead outside, before entering the congregation and killing 26 more.
There’s more:
Other deadly attacks at religious institutions include the June 2015 shooting of nine Black congregants at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, and and the shooting death of four at the Sikh Temple of Wisconsin in Oak Creek.
Why Do Perpetrators Target Houses of Worship?
“Killing men, women and children while they are praying ensures that the public will pay attention to the attack and creates an incredible amount of fear and that is the ultimate objective of the attacker” explained John Cohen, a former acting undersecretary at the Department of Homeland Security, in a 2019 news report for ABC.
Shootings at religious institutions even caught the attention of the government, which introduced the Protecting Faith-Based and Nonprofit Organizations from Terrorism Act of 2019. The Act would provide grants to certain nonprofit organizations to enhance security measures aimed at guarding against terrorist attacks, including mass shootings at religious institutions.
The bill was placed on the Senate Legislative Counter in September of 2019 and sadly appears to be in limbo.
So…
What can we do in the meantime to protect ourselves?
In addition to taking common sense measures like limiting entry into houses of worship and ensuring that there are multiple exits in case worshippers need to escape, there is a simple and effective way to protect your religious institution so that you can pray in peace: installing bulletproof glass.
Does The Glass Make Worshipping Safer?
Yes! From targeted attacks with hundreds of congregants worshipping inside a sanctuary to random acts of violence in which shots are fired toward a building, bullet-resistant glass can help protect congregants and clergy while maintaining the sanctity of religious institutions.
Why should my church, synagogue, temple or mosque consider installing bulletproof glass?
1. Parishioners and clergy can worship with peace of mind knowing they’re protected.
During a 2019 presentation by the FBI on keeping religious institutions safe from attack, the agency suggested teaching congregants what to do in the event of an attack by using itssActive Shooter resources and Run-Hide-Fight training. There’s value in educating communities about safety procedures, but knowing the steps to take during an active shooter situation doesn’t necessary take away people’s fears.
So what extra steps can be taken to reduce fear?
Bulletproof glass provides the ultimate protection for worshippers and spiritual leaders alike, giving religious communities the freedom to gather, socialize and pray without worrying about potential gunfire. It’s a great solution for multigenerational congregations, where young children and the elderly may not have the ability to act quickly in the presence of an active shooter.
2. Money-saving grants are available to religious institutions, making protecting your house of worship affordable.
Programs like the federal Nonprofit Security Grant Program provide funding to help defray the cost of protecting your religious institution from attack. Local and state funds may also be available to religious institutions. In October 2021, for example, New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced $25 million in additional funds to help nonprofit organizations improve building security.
3. Congregants feel like they’re entering their spiritual home, not a fortress
Nothing is more intimidating than walking into a building that feels like a state penitentiary. With properly installed bulletproof glass, congregants will not even notice the difference. It’s important, however, that glass panels are retrofitted to your existing glass by professionals to ensure a seamless fit that preserves the beauty of your institution.
Just like you would want your choir led by a seasoned church director and not someone seeking 15 minutes of fame on TikTok, your bulletproof glass should be installed by professionals from the company providing the bulletproof glass, not an inexperienced contractor.
4. The physical beauty of your building is protected … and so are you!
Religious institutions are unique in that they often incorporate beautiful and delicate stained-glass windows into their facades and interior spaces. These works of art are not only enjoyed by those worshipping on the inside but also by passersby who marvel at the intricate details and bursts of colorful light being emitted. As breathtaking as these stained-glass windows are, they’re also targets.
They both serve as an advertisement to perpetrators, who can easily recognize a stained-glass window as a religious symbol, and they are unfortunately not bullet resistant. You can protect the safety of your congregation while also keeping the beauty of your stained-glass windows intact.
With carefully custom-fit glass placed over the existing stained glass on the inside of the building, no one worshipping inside or out will notice this extra layer of protection. Whether you’re protecting colorful stained glass that brings outside light in or beautiful, decorative glass doors that welcome congregants in, the safety of your worshippers should always be a priority.
5. Deters potential acts of violence
Imagine a perpetrator shooting through a glass window, only to have the shards of glass come back in his direction! That’s exactly what happens when a gunman takes aim at glass that’s protected with BallistiMAX by Ballistiglass.
The glass is both proactive and reactive, spraying shards of glass back in the direction of the shooter while utilizing specialized counterfire technology so that those inside can potentially return fire at the perpetrator. It’s the ultimate deterrent. Contact us to learn more about how our unique, proprietary glass technology works and to find out how our team can help you worship without worry.