In the wake of the deadly church shooting in Charleston, South Carolina, last June, a church in North Carolina has decided to take matters into its own hands by arming some of its members to defend the church in case it is attacked.
Rev. Melvin Clark of the Washington Missionary Baptist Church in Shelby said initially the church will provide firearms to 10 of its members who will act as security guards.
"It is putting the plan in action that we interface with our local law enforcement," he told NBC and WCNC.
Security is uppermost in Clark's mind after he had a very close encounter with an armed church intruder who held him at gunpoint and took him hostage in 2002.
"I had dialed 911 on my cell phone. He takes the gun out and says this night is really bad for everyone," he recalled the gunman as saying.
He said he will meet with the police to discuss how a select group of church members will be trained on using a firearm and licensed to carry the weapon.
"People will begin to take matters into their own hands because they believe there is no plan in place," he said.
Shelby Police Department head Jeff Ledford agrees with the plan to arm some members of the congregation, saying he will meet with Clark and other local pastors to discuss about church safety.
"Being on the same page and allowing our pastors to ask questions and work with us will be a key factor in all this going as safe as possible," he said.
Nevertheless, he warned that "people who are armed should be aware of the responsibility and liability associated with it."
"Training and communication with law enforcement should be a vital part," said Ledford.
Ledford added that it's "important for religious institutions to have an active shooter plan as it is for schools and businesses."
Currently, the Washington Missionary Baptist Church has a surveillance camera, but Clark said that is not enough.
Last week, two men were arrested for bringing a gun into a church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Michael Blake, 27, and Austin Hannon, 16, were arrested for bringing the gun inside the First Haitian Church of Grace.
Nine people were killed including a senator when a gunman opened fire during a bible study at the Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston last June 17.
