Think About it – Careful Which Team You Hook Your Wagon to

Think About It Think About it – Careful Which Team You Hook Your Wagon to
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Carl Chinn

Carl Chinn

May 23, 2026

I do not disparage others in this space of protecting houses of worship. I do not take shots at churches or their security operations when things go south in an attack. I will not disrespect other resources in this space.

With one notable exception.

When I first began researching threats to ministries I needed all the help I could get. I spent significant time researching the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) as a potential source for good threat information. What I found was just the opposite. They are not a genuine threat identification organization. I could clearly see in 2007 that they were nothing but a political action group opposing conservative values.

In the threat information world, there are many from all political beliefs. They are, however, the same mindset: working to prevent, interrupt, and defeat dangerous criminal activity.

Except the SPLC.

I first wrote of them in 2012 after their rhetoric and website information inspired a gay rights activist to launch an attack against the Family Research Council (FRC) in Washington, D.C. On 8/15/2012, the attacker brought 15 Chick-fil-A sandwiches, a gun, and murder intentions to the FRC. FRC’s building manager, Leo Johnson, (known there still as “Leo the hero”), didn’t believe the gunman’s fabrication of being there as an intern applicant.

Leo prevented him from entering the work area. The attacker pulled a 9mm handgun from his backpack, and shot Leo in the arm as Leo detained him. Leo managed to wrestle the gun from him, then held him to the ground (with the help of 2 other FRC staffers) until police arrived and arrested him.

I’ve watched the law enforcement interview where the detective asked the gunman why he chose the FRC to attack. He said he saw FRC listed as a Hate Group on the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) website.

Think About it

In recent years, the FBI formally broke all ties with the SPLC (as have many others who now see them for what they are).

This week, congressional hearings are underway into their dark and suspect activities. I hope this is the beginning of the end for that dangerous organization.

Be careful which team you hook your wagon to.

For a good article on Leo (written in 2013, the first anniversary of the attack), go to Leo Johnson: Showing the Love.

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