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Faith Based Security NetworkFaith Based Security Network

May 31, 2025

We have now selected all speakers for the 7th annual summit of faith-based security operators. Just as we needed one more presenter, Texas State Attorney General Ken Paxton confirmed his speaking slot.

We have seen how Ken Paxton enforced legislation the FBSN and others fought for in 2017 that allowed Texas churches to have volunteer safety operators without the prior arduous, costly and intrusive licensure from the Texas State Department of Public Safety. That prior system worked for large churches and private schools but was unrealistic for the small ones.

It might seem like needless legal chatter to say the 2017 Texas House Bill 421 (which morphed into House Bill A1267) passed and added 2 exceptions to the State Occupation Code 1702; subchapter N; requiring licensure for volunteer security operators. Those 2 exceptions were;

private primary or secondary school
a church, synagogue, or other established place of religious worship.

But here's what that meant: When Jack Wilson stopped the killer at West Freeway Church of Christ in 2019, he was acting 100% within the provisions of law. No license required. Two years prior, there would have been grounds for legal prosecution. Not possible grounds, there would have absolutely been evidence that he had acted outside of the law.

HBA1267 was put into Texas law on September 1st, 2017. The Sutherland Springs massacre happened just 66 days later. Though Stephen Willeford was not an official volunteer for the church at that time, that law would have protected him had he been acting in that capacity.

The FBSN is proud to have had the opportunity to testify before the TX state senate in 2017 as those bills moved through the process.

Ken Paxton represents the kind of speakers at SOS who have truly made a difference in this new and great endeavor of protecting houses of worship. He is just one of 36 such presenters.

Think About it…

Please consider attending this summit event of faith-based security professionals. Those 36 seasoned and experienced presenters will deliver the needed information you can take home with you.

For those of you who are FBSN members, be sure to use your member-only discount to get 20% off your attendance.

Here is the link for more information: https://www.fbsnamerica.com/events/sos25-defenders-of-the-faithful

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