Mass Shooting Prevented Because of Second Amendment, Expert Says 

A children’s church service in Wayne, Michigan, Sunday nearly became the scene of a mass shooting after a gunman opened fire outside CrossPointe Community Church. A parishioner hit the suspect with his vehicle and at least two church staff members fatally shot him before anyone was killed, the Associated Press reported.  

In a media interview Sunday evening, Wayne Police Chief Ryan Strong described the actions of the church members as “heroic,” crediting them with “undoubtedly” preventing a “large-scale mass shooting.”  

Amy Swearer, senior legal fellow in the Meese Center for Legal and Judicial Studies at The Heritage Foundation, noted that the tragedy was averted because of the quick and responsible actions of those who were carrying guns: “The Second Amendment enabled several brave and well-prepared individuals to effectively and efficiently end an imminent threat to the lives of dozens of innocent churchgoers.”  

According to The Detroit News, churchgoers first spotted the suspect driving recklessly into the church parking lot. He exited his vehicle wearing a tactical vest and carrying an AR-15 styled rifle and semi-automatic handgun, along with more than a dozen loaded magazines.  

The suspect approached the church and opened fire, hitting one staff member in the leg. A church deacon arriving at the same time drove his car into the suspect, stopping him from entering the building and giving two staff members the chance to fatally shoot the suspect. Church attendees, hearing the shots, sheltered in bathrooms and back rooms until the situation cleared.  

The suspect, 31-year-old Brian Anthony Browning, was a local resident of a nearby town, according to The Detroit News. His mother was a parishioner of CrossPointe, and Browning himself had attended a Sunday service a couple times in the previous year.  

The police chief reported that officials were unsure of Browning’s motivation but believe he was suffering from a mental health crisis. Browning had no previous interactions with the police. 

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino posted early Sunday afternoon on X, saying that support teams were at the scene “providing assistance.” 

The Detroit News reported that members of CrossPointe Community Church started a “security team” roughly 10 years ago in response to national violence occurring at other churches and religious communities. CrossPointe Senior Pastor Bobby Kelly Jr. reported that the church had never received threats of violence itself. 

“This is the whole point of the right to keep and bear arms—not hunting or sport shooting, but ensuring that people have the practical means to exercise their natural right of self-defense,” Swearer said. “The heroic actions of these armed civilians also show exactly why states should repeal laws that restrict the ability of ordinary citizens to carry firearms for self-defense in houses of worship.” 

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