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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- Oklahoma City, Columbine, Virginia Tech, Fort Hood, Tucson and now Aurora.

Over the past two decades, Americans unfortunately have become all too familiar with domestic terrorism.

Carl Chinn has witnessed gun violence in his community first-hand, and not just once but twice.

Chinn was a staff member at Focus on the Family in 1996 when a gunman took several hostages.

"As a result of being a spokesperson at the following trials for the ministry, I became very involved," Chinn said. "I began to do research on the topic."

Then, a decade later, on Dec. 9, 2007 Chinn was at New Life Church when Matthew Murray went on a shooting rampage in the parking lot, killing two sisters.

"As a result of what we experienced at Focus on the Family, we (New Life) began to develop an intentional security program," Chinn said. "Then of course 2007 came, and it was needed."

Since then Chinn has been sharing his research and writings on security and even helped New Life Church implement changes following the shootings there.

He said Americans need to be aware and take action.

"Be proactive, and do not overcomplicate it, start with what you have and work on the simple things," Chinn said.

He said as more targets become hardened, such as churches and schools, the more vulnerable others become.

"Those places who have been reluctant to do any type of security become a higher target," Chinn said.

As for what happened in Aurora, Chinn does not want to speculate.

He said the investigation will reveal what needs to be done.

"More and more faith-based organizations understand the need for security," Chinn said. "I hope others do as well, such as malls and movie theaters, any place where there is a large congregation of people."

He said he understands people do not want to live their lives constantly surrounded by security, but added it is becoming more and more necessary to keep the public safe.