Ten Years Later—Remembering Charleston and Reclaiming Our Personal Security | Opinion

June 17, 2015, Charleston, S.C.—A date that will forever echo in the soul of a nation. Nine members of Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church were murdered while welcoming a stranger into their Wednesday night Bible study—a time and place most would consider the safest in their week. A decade ago, the sanctity of worship was shattered in an act of unspeakable violence. This anniversary is not just a day of remembrance; it’s a sobering call to action.

As someone who responded to the scene that evening and has dedicated my life to personal defense education, I believe we dishonor the memory of the fallen if we fail to confront the lessons that were forced upon us that night. Chief among them: Evil doesn’t wait for us to be ready. It finds us in sanctuaries, schools, shopping centers, and on sidewalks. And when it does, hope is not a plan. The only antidote to violence is preparation.

A decade later, we still grieve. But we must also reflect—with clear eyes and resolute hearts—on the urgent lesson that night taught us: hope is not a plan, and personal safety is not guaranteed by good intentions alone.

A Place of Peace, A Target of Violence

The attack on Mother Emanuel was not random. It was premeditated, ideological, and intended to inflict terror and division. But the shocking nature of the attack also highlights how vulnerable everyday Americans are when they assume that the presence of peace guarantees the absence of danger.

These parishioners extended grace to a stranger. But grace must be balanced with vigilance, especially in today’s world. It is not paranoia to recognize that evil exists—it is prudence. We live in a world where soft targets have become focal points for violence. And while law enforcement plays a critical role, the first line of defense is you.

From Tragedy to Responsibility

The case for personal security planning has never been stronger. In the years since that tragedy, we’ve seen a steady rise in targeted violence against soft targets—schools, houses of worship, grocery stores. These are not traditional battlefields, but they have become focal points for attackers precisely because they are perceived as defenseless.

The answer isn’t to militarize every space or live in fear. The answer is a culture of preparedness. Every individual, family, and community should ask themselves: “If something happens, am I ready?”

Some are uncomfortable mixing the language of defense with the language of faith. But I’d argue they are deeply intertwined. Scripture speaks often of shepherds defending their flock—not just spiritually, but physically. Peace is always the goal, but preparedness is often the price of preserving it.

Mother Emanuel’s legacy is one of grace, forgiveness, and courage. But let us also honor the victims by committing to protect our own communities with the same intentionality and care. As we remember Cynthia, Susie, Ethel, Depayne, Daniel, Sharonda, Myra, Tywanza, and Rev. Clementa Pinckney—may we never forget their names or their legacy. But may we also commit to honoring them in action. Not just with candles or vigils, but with training. With readiness. With resolve.

Evil struck Mother Emanuel in the quiet of prayer. The next 10 years must be about ensuring that in every house of worship, every family home, and every corner of our nation, we are not helpless. We are aware. We are prepared.

Rob Chadwick is the director of education and training for the United States Concealed Carry Association (USCCA), where he leads a nationwide network of over 10,000 certified instructors. A 30-year law enforcement veteran and former head of the Tactical Training Unit at the FBI Academy in Quantico, Rob has trained elite teams, led SWAT operations, and protected six U.S. attorneys general. A recipient of the FBI Director’s Medal of Excellence for Training, he now empowers everyday Americans with the knowledge and skills to defend and protect.

The views expressed in this article are the writer’s own.