Security measures in place when churches gather for worship
Percent of U.S. Protestant pastors, 2019 (in percent)
Key finding
Highest: Intentional plan for an active shooter (62%). Lowest: Metal detectors at entrances (3%).
- Intentional plan for an active shooter: 62%
- Armed church members: 45%
- Radio communication among security personnel: 28%
Source: Lifeway Research, Most Churches Plan for Potential Gunman, Divided Over Armed Congregants · Lifeway Research phone survey of 1,000 Protestant pastors, August 30 to September 24, 2019; sampling error plus or minus 3.3%. Article published 2020-01-28.
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Questions about this statistic
What does this statistic show?
Highest: Intentional plan for an active shooter (62%). Lowest: Metal detectors at entrances (3%). Intentional plan for an active shooter: 62%. Armed church members: 45%. Radio communication among security personnel: 28%.
Who published this data?
Lifeway Research, 2019. Source: Lifeway Research, Most Churches Plan for Potential Gunman, Divided Over Armed Congregants (https://research.lifeway.com/2020/01/28/most-churches-plan-for-potential-gunman-divided-over-armed-congregants/).
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About this data
Leader Insights collects statistics about U.S. churches from published research by organizations such as Lifeway Research, Barna Group, Springtide, the American Bible Society and PRRI. Every number is checked against the wording of the original source before it is published, and each statistic links back to the study it came from. Figures are reproduced from the publishers named above; see the source for full methodology.