Church carry

[U.F.O.]

Have you ever carried during a Church service?

yes
no

[U.F.O.]

I'll provide some commentary as to why I posted this poll after some more numbers hit.

U.F.O.

[jerryd]

Yes its legal here in ct. as long as there are no signs posted!

[Dave R]

Yup.

[No4Mk1]

More often than not.

[Shorts]

I have never carried in church. The military isn't allowed to have swords or arms in a holy building....my husband and the sword detail had to keep their swords in the foyer cry room during our wedding. Call me old school, but no guns in the church. Just like no hats or caps at the table when you're eating. Hats off during the pledge and the national anthem.

I've read another big post on the same poll. Sure, something can go down with disgruntled folks, but I don't think its enough to break the simple rules of respect.

[Sir William]

I have responded to 911 calls at more than one church. Domestics, fights, shootings, robberies and carjackings.

[Cayoot]

I'm a New Testament Christian, but that doesn't mean that I can't draw lessons from the Old Testament.

In the Old Testament, mighty men of God went to rebuild the temple and the Bible speaks of their wisdom in "Holding a trowel in one hand and a sword in the other".

Jesus Himself told his disciples to go forth armed (as they went to preach the Gospel). As He sent them forth into the world He told them "He who hath no sword, let him sell his garments and buy one".

Yes, I carry discretly in church. I always have a firearm on me.

I worked for 16 years inside a prison. I have learned that monsters do exist, and they walk among us.

[Ala Dan]

I don't worry too much about members in the congregation, as I do
the homeless drug addicts/crazy's that are walking the streets; as
our nations prisons are letting these folks "GO FREE" in droves. In
many instances these same scumbags will committ other crimes,
often times of a more serious nature.

Best Wishes,

[txinvestigator]

Always


http://www.cnn.com/US/9909/20/church.shooting.01/

[Edison Carter]

It's been years since I've been to a church service, but I would
carry.

Berserkers have shot up churches before, and they will again.

--Travis--

[Dwight55]

I am the pastor of a little country church in mid-Ohio.

Two weeks a perp walked in the front door, through the fellowship hall, grabbed my wife's purse, slipped out the back: totally undected and got away scot free.

Later that same day, at another church about 7 or 8 miles away, . . . another purse was taken from the Pastor's office, . . . the church secretary's purse.

No, . . . I still don't carry, . . . but my view is becoming much different than it was when I was much younger.

May God bless,
Dwight

[9mmsnoopy]

if i were a church goer and it was legal, i certainly would carry.

[brian33x51]

What's up with states that DON'T allow carry in churches?
I think Missouri is one of them.

Shouldn't that be up to the church to decide?

During the week we hve like 20 people show up for bible study.
At least 2 of us carry full, and up to 5 of us (incl pastor) total have carried at church.

The absolute most lethal warrior in history has been and will be Jesus Christ.
The 180,000 assyrians that bought it, at the second advent millions will buy it at His hand. When given the opportunity to defend ourselves we have the responsibility to do so as christians.

[U.F.O.]

Reason for poll.

Thx to all who have participated so far. I work in a rather large office, some already have CCW permits, the vast majority don't. I received my CCW last week and this is common knowledge among a small group who sit fairly close to me. One of them asked me today jokingly if I carried a firearm yesterday when I went to church, obviously expecting a no answer. I've known most of these folks for 20 years give or take so I told them the truth.....yes I carried in church yesterday and the howls I got sounded like a wolfpack in heat. Five or six were shocked that I would do such a thing, as if it were some kind of blasphemy or sacrilege. I posted that poll to see if I was alone in feeling that there was absolutely nothing wrong with concealed carry in a church and based on the percentage so far my opinion is being substantiated. Trying to explain a tactical lifestyle to "non-believers", if you will, is most difficult. I'm convinced more than ever that most people won't understand the importance of self defense until it becomes painfully obvious that this is a skill they lack. Pain, unfortunately, is the best teacher.

U.F.O.

[Jim Keenan]

It seems to me that Jesus told Peter to "put up your sword." He didn't say to destroy it, or not carry it, or turn it over to the Roman authorities.

Those who want to ban carry in church are simply anti-gun and are just adding one more place to the list of areas where carry is illegal. The carrying of a gun is an amoral act; it is neither good nor evil in itself. A gun is not in itself evil. People who carry guns are not evil unless they intend to do evil.

Jim

[Doug242ti]

considering the way people drive when they leave church, probably wouldn't be a bad idea

[txinvestigator]

UFO

I strongly suggest you do not tell people if or when you are armed, unless they have an actual need to know.

I never discuss that, as it is highly personal. There are only downsides and no upside to broadcasting that information.

[U.F.O.]

txinvestigator

I'm always thankful for advice, but how can this be a liability? The reason I got the CCW in the 1st place is because a guy I work with got mugged in the building parking lot. 4 or 5 of us all took the classes within a couple of months of each other. I don't advertise the CCW to anyone outside of very close associates.

U.F.O.

[txinvestigator]

Originally Posted by UFO

I'm always thankful for advice, but how can this be a liability?

Since I don't know you, lets pretend you are single and date.

Someone in the group at church tells a third part that you carry.

A short time later, you become interested in a young lady in church, and the third party is also interested in her. Jealousy rears its ugly head, there is a confrontation and words. Third party calls the cops and tells them that you threatened him with a gun, because he knows you carry in church. (if anyone told this guy what type of gun, he also describes it to the police) The police talk to you and locate the gun on your person third party described.

Another scenario where you lose you tactical advantage. A situation arises where it appears you may need to, at least, display your handgun. Before you can get into a position of tactical superiority, some clown who knows you carry calls out for YOU to do something, or worse, tries to access your weapon.

Please don't think I am trying to criticize you. I just believe in absolutely disclosing that info only on a need to know basis. discretion is part of your personal security plan. Call it OpsSec, if you will

Often when I do EP work someone will ask me "whatcha carrying?" I smile and answer that that is a need to know basis, and they don't need to know.

When a friend or someone who knows me well ask if I am carrying I just reply, "naah".

[U.F.O.]

I see your point. I'm sure a lot of the chatter today had to do with the "newness" of my CCW and the desire of a bunch of old friends wanting to bust my chops. I can see the advantage of low profiling this thing. Thx.

U.F.O.

[Ala Dan]

Greeting's All-

To add to the txinvestigator's theory, I always want the element
of surprise on my side! Case in point, lots of persons assume I am
carrying; but only GOD knows for sure!

Best Wishes,

[waterman]

No, but only because I do not go to church. If I were to go into a House of Worship - where the congregation is comprised largely of people that believe in something they imagine to be true - I would have no hesitation, in fact, I am pretty sure I would WANT to be packing!

[ScoutinStAugustine]

C'mon...the only things to carry to Church are a Bible and a little something for the collection plate.

[kennybs plbg]

The priest in the church I grew up in is now 70 years old. For the past 30 years he has carried openly on his side not concealed a 357 while riding his motorcycle. This is also the same person who taught me how to shoot 40 years ago.

kenny b