Texas Enacts Church Self-Defense Civil Immunity
Effective September 1, 2023, Texas now provides self-defense immunity to churches as institutions as well as to the individuals who serve churches as armed security.
[ Read the SemperVerus article, A Prayer for Church Security Team Members ]
The new law, Senate Bill 694, establishes enhanced protection for church security teams, granting them civil immunity against legal repercussions when dealing with disruptive individuals during services.
[ Read articles in the SemperVerus category of Church Security ]
According to Texas Defense Force Security, the law “specifically targets disruptions during church services and provides church security teams with civil immunity when taking action to preserve the safety and sanctity of the worshippers. This legislation acknowledges that incidents of violence or disturbances can potentially impact not only the immediate congregation but also the broader community.
[ See the SemperVerus list of links to Church Security Training Resources ]
“This immunity extends to individuals who are officially employed by the church or actively volunteering with proper documentation, emphasizing the importance of accountability and proper qualifications. By granting civil immunity, this law ensures that church security teams have legal protection in situations where they need to remove or use force on disruptive individuals.
“The core intent is to empower these teams to act swiftly and decisively without concerns of facing civil lawsuits. The law recognizes the unique challenges faced by churches and their security teams, aiming to strike a delicate balance between maintaining order and protecting individual rights.”
Read more about the new legislation.
Watch the video of attorney Andrew Branca, author of The Law of Self-Defense, explaining the ramifications of the new Texas law:
[ Read the SemperVerus article, The 5 Elements of Self-Defense Law ]
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