Faith Community Safety
Protect Your Congregation — Know What Texas Law Requires
Gideon Training Solutions delivers Texas-compliant church security training and services across DFW.
Texas law permits licensed handgun holders to carry in places of worship, and churches have the legal right to establish armed security teams. The state does not require a specific certification for volunteer security members, but it does hold them to the same use-of-force standards as any armed citizen. Churches that want a higher level of protection — or that need to transfer liability — can contract Texas DPS-licensed security officers through a licensed security company. The gap between a trained volunteer team and a licensed officer is significant, and understanding that gap is the first step toward building the right plan for your congregation.
Two Paths to a Safer Church
Volunteer Security Teams
- Licensed LTC holders may carry in your church without additional state licensing — but training is essential.
- Volunteer teams should understand their legal authority and the limits of that authority under Texas statute.
- Recommended training covers threat recognition, de-escalation, and coordinated response with local law enforcement.
- Gideon Training Solutions designs half-day and full-day workshops specifically for faith community security teams.
Licensed Armed Security Officers
- Texas DPS Level 3 (armed) and Level 4 (personal protection) officers carry state-issued commissions and are held to a higher legal standard.
- Licensed officers can perform duties that volunteers legally cannot — including detaining individuals and providing executive-level protection.
- Contracting licensed officers through a DPS-licensed company transfers significant liability away from the church.
- Corsair Tactical Solutions, a minority and veteran-owned DPS-licensed security firm, provides licensed officers for DFW faith communities.
Gideon Training Solutions trains your team. Corsair Tactical Solutions provides licensed officers.
What Gideon Church Training Covers
Threat recognition and awareness
Learn to identify pre-attack indicators and environmental red flags before a situation escalates.
De-escalation techniques
Verbal and non-verbal strategies that resolve most confrontations without physical intervention.
Legal authority and boundaries
Understand exactly what Texas law permits your team to do — and where your authority ends.
Coordinated response protocols
Practice structured team responses so every member knows their role when seconds count.
Available as half or full day training for churches across DFW and North Texas.
Hilton Jackson holds Texas Security Officer Level II, III, and IV credentials and has trained security teams across the DFW faith community. Corsair Tactical Solutions is a minority and veteran-owned licensed security company serving houses of worship throughout North Texas.
Your congregation deserves a trained, prepared team.
Contact Gideon Training Solutions today to build the right security plan for your church.