Posts by Alan Hughes
3 Conversations Every New Church Safety Leader Should Have
Article Summary The first 90 days in a new role as a church safety leader are the most important and most commonly underused. The instinct is to assess gaps, write policies, and start changing SOPs. The better move is to have three specific conversations first. This article walks through who to talk to, what to…
Read MoreWhat Kids Ministry Volunteers Notice (And Why It Matters)
Article Summary Kids ministry volunteers see custody issues, concerning adult behavior, and child disclosures that your safety team may not see on its own. This article explains what they notice, why most of it never reaches safety, and three moves any church can use to close the gap. Tactical, ministry-specific, and applicable to churches of…
Read MoreThe Rost Martin RM1S Comp Review: The Surprising First Shots
Article Summary The Rost Martin RM1S Comp is a subcompact, optics-ready 9mm pistol with strong ergonomics, full ambidextrous controls, and an integrated compensator. After two range sessions and 250 rounds, it proved accurate, easy to shoot quickly, and reliable. Virtually all my friends, including some pretty experienced shooters, had the same question when I told…
Read MoreBreek Arms Sledgehammer Omni-Buster Review
Article Summary The Breek Arms Sledgehammer Omni-Buster is an ambidextrous charging handle for the AR15 platform, designed to help reduce gas blowback when shooting suppressed. Its compact LE latch keeps the rifle slim and less likely to snag, making it a strong option for suppressed rifles, defensive setups, and left-handed shooters. The Charging Handle Is…
Read MoreWhat 144,000+ Views Tell Us About the Better Protectors’ Audience
Article Summary This year, the Better Protectors website had over 144,000 views. That number matters, not because of traffic alone, but because it reflects intent. These readers were not skimming for entertainment. They were looking for clarity, confirmation, and better information before making decisions that matter. The five articles below became the most visited pages…
Read MoreA Practical Look at the Xegis Safe
Article Summary Finding the balance between access and control is one of the hardest parts of responsible gun ownership. This article looks at the Xegis safe from a practical standpoint, not as a gadget, but as a tool meant to solve a real-world problem. The focus is on how it works, why its design choices…
Read More25 Gift Ideas: Christmas Shopping for Protectors
Article Summary: Christmas is coming! If you’re shopping for another protector or if the people shopping for you want some ideas, this list will help with some gift ideas and where you can find the items. Bookmark it because it can come in handy later for birthday shopping as well 1-3) Flashlights This is always…
Read MoreChurch Safety Training in Tennessee
Article Summary: Tennessee churches want people to feel safe and welcome when they walk through the doors. Each building, ministry, and weekend looks a little different, but the goal is the same. Your team needs a clear plan for the moments they hope never happen. Our church safety training gives volunteers simple, easily applicable skills…
Read MoreDavid Parkinson
David Parkinson: Co-Founder and Instructor, Better Protectors Professional Experience David Parkinson is a United States Air Force veteran, a licensed Registered Nurse, and a personal safety instructor with over twenty years of combined military, medical, and training experience. His background spans law enforcement duties, physical security, detainee operations, emergency response, and tactical instruction. During his…
Read MoreAlan Hughes
Alan Hughes: Co-Founder and Lead Instructor Professional Experience Alan Hughes is a United States Army veteran and law enforcement professional with a career that has included local, state, and federal assignments. His experience spans investigations, tactical operations, dignitary protection, and multi-agency coordination. He has served as a detective, traffic homicide investigator, drug interdiction specialist, and…
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