Churches turn to armed volunteers as gunmen threaten pastors, worshippers Fox News
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SecurityexpertsareincreasinglyurgingU.S.churchestoincreasetheirsafetymeasuresaftertwonearmissesinvolvingattemptedshootingsathousesofworshipindifferentpartsofthecountrythismonth.Interestindoingsoamongcongregationsisalsoontherise,theysay.
Lastweek,aPennsylvaniamanjumpedoutofhisseatatthefrontofachurchandtackledanarmedmanwhowalkeduptothepulpitandtriedtogundownapastormid-sermon.Aherointhefrontrow,ClarenceMcCallister,tackledanddisarmedhim.Then,onSaturday,agun-totingteenwalkeduptoaLouisianachurchduringaFirstCommunionMassfordozensofchildren.Parishionersdetainedhimoutsideandcalledpolice.
InFebruary,anarmedwomanbargedintoJoelOsteen’sLakewoodChurchinHouston,Texas,withher7-year-oldintowandopenedfire.Off-dutyofficersonsceneputanendtotheassault,butherchildwass