CCW in place of worship

[knkali]

do you carry in a place of worship?
http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2013/04/29/17971041-parishioners-describe-chaos-during-stabbing-spree-at-new-mexico-church?lite

[ripley16]

My church has a large, active and well equipped security force staffed with federal, local and military LE. Out of the average 2500 people in attendance on Sundays, I would guess there are 100 or more weapons present.

[mr surveyor]

to answer the original question..... Damm right I carry at church, as do at least half my Sunday School buddies (as well as quite a few others in our 400+ attendance). Most of us "know" who else carries, because we hunt/fish/shoot together.

As for an "organized security team"...... no way. There's too many legal hurdles involved when you start mixing concealed carry and the security team type setting.... at least my understanding of Texas law. We prefer to continue to be just average citizens exercising our legal right to carry in all places otherwise not deemed off limits.

surv

[RevRay]

Unless a church already has an existing culture where armed security or private concealed carry is approved, I would imagine this could be a touchy subject in some places. At least it would probably be in a lot if churches in CT.

I don't choose to carry in & around my church for two reasons ... 1) It's not my place to make those kinds of decisions on behalf of my church. To choose to carry as a private citizen is one thing, but to carry as the pastor of my church is a different matter (especially from a legal & liability perspective). And 2) I'm way too new at all of this to even try to bring the subject up for discussion right now. And even if I did bring it up, I would have to defer to others to provide meaningful input due to my inexperience.

With the obvious polarization that the subject of guns can create, there are other issues that I would need to consider before proposing anything formal at my church. So for now, we have a sort of "don't ask, don"t tell" unofficial policy at my church. I know people who probably carry at our church services. However, I don't ask them if they are and I don't tell them they can't. AND I would oppose any attempt that anyone might make to suggest that they shouldn't.

[KKing]

to answer the original question..... Damm right I carry at church, as do at least half my Sunday School buddies (as well as quite a few others in our 400+ attendance). Most of us "know" who else carries, because we hunt/fish/shoot together.

As for an "organized security team"...... no way. There's too many legal hurdles involved when you start mixing concealed carry and the security team type setting.... at least my understanding of Texas law. We prefer to continue to be just average citizens exercising our legal right to carry in all places otherwise not deemed off limits.

surv

I could type a response, but basically...this

[Jason4x4]

I do, mainly because there is a lot of people, and 2 exits, so "IF" someone wanted to do something, there is a lot of room for casualties, and I will do everything I can to make sure I am not one.

[Glock23]

I don't for 2 reasons.

1. I live in the only state in the US that does not allow concealed carry.

2. I do not go to places of worship.

That being said, once Illinois allows concealed carry, I fully intend to carry anywhere and everywhere that are not specifically prohibited.

[willwork4guns]

I do, I think the way this country is going sadly its only a matter of time before some nut shoots up a church. I hope I'm wrong.

[southsound]

We are part of a small church - typical attendance on a Sunday morning ranges from 60 to 70 adults. Sunday evening and Wednesday services are about 1/2 that. Five or six of us carry at all times, including my wife and myself. Although we're the recovery pastors, we sit at the rear where we can easily see who is coming in. One of the worship team covers the platform. I quietly follow the folks to take the offering from the back of the auditorium to the office to make sure they are safe. Two others routinely sit near the front and middle. We are not there as any part of a security team - we are just fellow worshipers who choose to carry. The senior pastor is aware and has no problem - but for legal reasons has not asked us to carry. I think most of us would pause only long enough to give the BG an opportunity for repentance and to accept the Lord before we gave him the opportunity to meet Him.

[Pulpit Pistol]

As you can see from my nickname, I'm a big proponent of carrying in church. It only makes sense. In my view, the issue is best left with the responsible parishioners. When subjects like this are brought before boards (in this case, of a church), all the typical arguments are put on the table--and the end result can be dissention and/or a policy prohibiting carrying. Even in Illinois--according to a policeman that spoke to me the other day--concealed carry in church is legal.

[Popeye]

Even though I'm not a big believer in organized religions, I have CC in churches at weddings and funerals, Etc..

[Planedude]

I do, without any fanfare.

I met and prayed with folks who were at Wedgwood Baptist Church in September 1999. It never should happen, but crazy knows no social bounds.

Texas law is such on the subject that it is allowed unless otherwise properly posted to be not allowed ( sec. 30.06 ). So I do most Sundays and pray that it is never an issue at our small church services (60 to 70 wonderful folks). Not sure if there are others also, but I would not be shocked to find I was not alone.

[RevRay]

Even though I'm not a big believer in organized religions, I have CC in churches at weddings and funerals, Etc..

Nobody has ever accused me of being organized ... just saying.

[laserfish]

Planedude, I am right there with you on the Wedgwood Baptist. One reason I do carry, as you say, without fanfare. Only one pastor knows I carry because he does too. As far as that goes, it is better for no one to ever know and I pray that I never have to let anyone know. We are a much larger church and in a meeting with the local LE, they encouraged anyone licensed and comfortable to carry.

[ltxi]

do you carry in a place of worship?


Odd question. Wth not?

[JohnR]

I would if our church wasn't on school property, which is prohibited.

[muggsy]

A few of churches have already been shot up. I carry everywhere except where metal detectors are present. The key word here is concealed. The Lord protects those who protect themselves, or something to that effect.

[knkali]

A few of churches have already been shot up. I carry everywhere except where metal detectors are present. The key word here is concealed. The Lord protects those who protect themselves, or something to that effect.
The saying (I think you are going for) is, "God HELPS those who HELP themselves" BTW I believe this statement is nowhere in the Bible.

[muggsy]

I took poetic license. So, sue me. :) I turned all of my swords into plowshares, but I hung on to my guns. I'm my brother's keeper.

[mr surveyor]

and .... "The Lord loves a working man"

(from The Jerk ... one of my all time favorite movies :D)

[chrish]

I took poetic license. So, sue me. :) I turned all of my swords into plowshares, but I hung on to my guns. I'm my brother's keeper.

That's Old Testament baby! I sold my plowshare for a coat, then sold my coat for a sword. Guns aren't mentioned, so I can only assume I can have as many as I want.

[steve666]

On those rare occasions when I go there, the answer is yes.

[Dino]

Not in Ohio, it is not legal to carry in a place of worship. Nor on any school property, government office or postal facility, includeing the parking lot.
But then again, about a month ago near Cleveland a man shot his father comeing out of church, then walked inside while many perishiners were trying to hide from him because they had no other way out except the front door. I'll bet they consider a back door now.

[7shot]

I do, without any fanfare.

I met and prayed with folks who were at Wedgwood Baptist Church in September 1999. It never should happen, but crazy knows no social bounds.

Texas law is such on the subject that it is allowed unless otherwise properly posted to be not allowed ( sec. 30.06 ). So I do most Sundays and pray that it is never an issue at our small church services (60 to 70 wonderful folks). Not sure if there are others also, but I would not be shocked to find I was not alone.

did texas change there law on cc in places of worship? i've had my cc going on 3 yrs now, i was under the assumption that we couldn't. :confused:

[DeaconKC]

Absolutely! There are several LEOs in our church and we are all prepared to protect our church.

[kahrseye]

I carry wherever I am legally allowed to.......PERIOD!

[Longitude Zero]

I certainly do. My church actively encourages CCW

[mr surveyor]

did texas change there law on cc in places of worship? i've had my cc going on 3 yrs now, i was under the assumption that we couldn't. :confused:



either you had a poor instructor. or didn't listen in class. If I remember right, the "change" was made in either 2005 or 2007. Get out your copy of the handbook, read through the list of places declared "off limits", and keep reading down to "Item I" and you will find the exceptions. The exceptions include not only churches but hospitals, amusement parks, nursing homes, government meetings ..... unless properly posted under 30.06.

There's a whole lot of responsibility that comes with carrying a weapon, and the responsibility of staying abreast of the carry law falls to the individual. Every two years we have the potential to see changes in our carry laws...some good, some not so good. For our own good, we need to stay informed and up to date.

If you're interested in really digging into Texas specific laws and issues, you might want to check out texaschlforum.com, as the gentleman that owns and admins the site (Charles Cotton) is a Texas attorney that played a major role in writing the original CHL legislation (starting back in the late 1980's) and is still playing a major role.

just a bit of "fyi"


surv