How do you guys feel about this...

Status
Not open for further replies.
C

Carter

Member
Joined
Mar 25, 2010
Messages
1,438
Location
North Carolina
I had an argument the other day with my mom and dad after church last sunday (we attend the same church) about concealed carrying to church. My argument was that when going to and leaving church you may need to protect yourself, possibly (however unlikely) in church as well. They stated that no one needed a gun in church.

Our church is in the middle of a pretty bad area. To be exact, most of the town has random bad areas in it due to old mill houses, apartments, and cheap housing areas springing up where ever they can. I know a few people who live in the area around the church. They abuse government programs, sell drugs, are too lazy to go the bathroom and save it up in bottles, and other random things that are both sick and highly criminal. The other week my car got keyed at church. Overall, I'd feel safer in the area (and alot of other places in town) concealed carrying. But apparantly my parents feel differently.

Our church is a Southern Baptist one, and therefore I'd expect them to be pro gun, but every event or trip they have has a strict no weapons policy. However, I'm not sure how'd they feel about me carrying a handgun during service.

What do you guys think about guns in church?
 
They stated that no one needed a gun in church.
Click to expand...
Yeah?

Tell that to the church goers out there in CO where some nut came in and started blazing away. He got took down by a lady CCW'r. It made national news last year sometime.

There are other incidents of churches being attacked while the flock was in attendance.

It's the attitude of your mom and dad that makes churches such attractive targets to all the nut jobs out there today.
 
There are three church attacks I can think of off the top of my head. Do some searching online and print some news articles. Give the articles to your parents. Do a little research on the number of violent crimes and property crimes last year in the area where your church is located. Give that info to your parents.

Finally, have them read and re-read Luke 22:36. Jesus himself knew some of his followers were armed and did not rebuke them. Christians are called upon to be gentle but at the same time God does not expect his followers to submit to slaughter.
 
Carter, I believe that the N.C. C/C, regulations prohibit C/C in churches. You may wish to check this before carry in church.
 
...every event or trip they have has a strict no weapons policy.
Click to expand...
Is it about the guns, or the company? Maybe they don't believe YOU are safe, rather than guns being unsafe.
Do they own any guns, or are they completely anti?
 
Carter, I believe that the N.C. C/C, regulations prohibit C/C in churches. You may wish to check this before carry in church
Click to expand...

Church's wasn't a listed do not carry place in my required class. In fact the instructor (a deputy) used church as an example of when carrying and having to tell an officer when approached.


My parents aren't exactly anti-gun, but they are rather scared of them and don't like being around them. After they attended a neighborhood watch meeting they stopped objecting out right my wishes that they learn how to use my shotgun for home defense, but they still don't want to have a loaded gun in the house.
They're in their 60's and pretty set in their ways, and they have always been very crafty in using non gun strategy defending their home by doing everything they could, short of getting an alarm, to make their house less of an attractive target. Motion activated lights, deadbolts always locked, doubled key sided dead bolts, fence, etc etc.


I'll check the church and do not carry list more carefully, but I'm pretty positive you can carry there.
 
Well I just remembered something...I haven't concealed carried to church yet (as I am still in the waiting process for the permit, but NC is shall issue and I meet all qualifications), but my church does have a private school during the school year for the younger lads...which means its educational property. Is there a way around this, or do I need to find a new church?
But I went and double checked, and churches are not on the do not carry list.


But please, keep stating your opinions and/or experiences.
 
Is it about the guns, or the company? Maybe they don't believe YOU are safe, rather than guns being unsafe.
Do they own any guns, or are they completely anti?
Click to expand...

I know one of the main people in the church (store owner) owns guns. I'm sure others do too. I think there is atleast one cop who is a member, and there are a lot of veterans that I'm sure owns guns. I've never really asked the church members or pastor what they think because I believe it to be a private matter.

However, the no weapons policy was brought up most notably on a youth trip to a really run down area where the youth and adults were doing some work. They stated they were going to help and weapons were not needed, or something to that same effect. So I think the churches policy, atleast on trips is anti-gun.
 
My church gave away a Daniel Defense M4 with an Aimpoint after service a few weeks ago. They also had an organized CCW class amongst it members. I love my church.
 
Church is a place of solitude, self reflection and worship of God... it is also a building constructed by mortals in a mortal world replete with violent scumbags that don't respect God, let alone human life.

Churches get burglarized all the time. Some, violently robbed. Fewer, violently assaulted. Point being churches and the people who attend them are victimized quite often. There are known valuables, especially cash, within... and these are rarely secured like a bank.

Anyone that thinks that God would want us to be pacifists in the face of a violent threat to our collective decency is insane. God isn't a pacifist! Ever hear of God's wrath? Well... the crooks might get it when they die, but its up to the good folks to arrange the meeting if need be.
 
My church gave away a Daniel Defense M4 with an Aimpoint after service a few weeks ago. They also had an organized CCW class amongst it members. I love my church.
Click to expand...

Mags, if there are any job openings in your area for a recent college grad I'd love your church too....

An ar and aimpoint? Really? ...I'm deprived...
 
Here are the "Off Limits" places in North Carolina (from handgunlaw.us).

Places Off-Limits Even With A Permit/License

· Schools, public or private, all levels including universities. A curricular or extracurricular activity sponsored by a school. This also applies to all property owned by any school. §14-269.2

· Assemblies and establishments where admission was charged. §14-269.3

· Assemblies and establishments where alcohol is both sold and consumed. §14-269.3

· State Capitol Building, the Executive Mansion, the Western Residence of the Governor, or on the grounds of any of these buildings, and any building housing any court of the General Court of Justice. §14-269.4

· State office buildings or any portion of a building in which there’re State offices. §14-415.11(c)

· Law Enforcement or Correctional Facilities. §14-415.11(c)

· Financial Institutions. §14-415.11(c)

· Events Occurring in Public: It shall be unlawful for any person participating in, affiliated with, or present as a spectator at any parade, funeral procession, picket line, or demonstration upon any private health care facility or upon any public place owned or under the control of the State or any of its political subdivisions to willfully or intentionally possess or have immediate access to any dangerous weapon. §14-277.2

· Areas of emergencies or riots. §14-288.7

· Where notice of carrying a concealed handgun is prohibited by the posting of a conspicuous notice or statement. §14-415.11(c)

· Carry In State Parks/State & National Forests/WMA/Road Side Rest Areas
State Parks: NO 15A NCAC 12B .0901
State/National Forests: NO 15A NCAC 09C .1243
WMA’s: NO 15A NCAC 10D .0102 Any Cal. Only in designated camping areas for defense of persons and property. - 22-caliber pistols with barrels, not greater than 7.5 inches in length and shooting only short, long or long rifle
ammunition, may be carried as side arms on game lands at any time, except by hunters during the special bow-and-arrow and muzzle loading firearms deer hunting season.
Road Side Rest Areas: YES §14-269.4
Click to expand...

I don't know for sure that all property owned by a church that also owns a school would count as property owned by that school, but it seems likely. I'd call the state's Attorney General's office and try to get an answer on that. Also, you could try your state rifle association just to see if they happen to know of case law on the matter.

From a philosophical standpoint, you absolutely DO need to be armed, if at all LEGALLY possible. Churches -- and those nice folks attending them -- are prime targets for violent crime. Not that there are "safe" neighborhoods, but it sounds like the one surrounding your church is especially UNsafe. Trust your instincts!

If you determine that it is legal to carry in your church, DO SO. It is no business of your parents or any of the other attendees what personal defensive items you carry.
 
Last edited:
I think GOD gives us the sense to protect ourselves, our property, and our
valuables. Likewise, I think he also gives us the sense to protect his assets.
That being said, I believe that concealed carry in church is permissable;
especially in these times~! :scrutiny: ;)
 
As long as it is not specifically banned by State law in your area, I would carry in Church.
 
August 14, 2007, three people were killed and five wounded at a Micronesian church in Neosho, Missouri when a gunman ran into the church during the service and opened fire.

Church seems to me like as good as place as any to carry. The pastor of the church that my sister attends is a gun guy, and I wouldn't be surprised if he carries when he's preaching.
 
Turns out my church's private school is just preschool and kindergarten. But I'm guessing that still counts as a school and thus voids my right to carry at this particular church? Law scholars welcome to answer...
 
Carter said:
Turns out my church's private school is just preschool and kindergarten. But I'm guessing that still counts as a school and thus voids my right to carry at this particular church? Law scholars welcome to answer...
Click to expand...
Same at my church (FL). I contacted a 2nd amendment lawyer and asked how it would be viewed as the classrooms double as Sunday school classes on Sunday mornings. He responded that it was a gray area and no case law was available. His opinion was it "should" be acceptable to carry when school wasn't in session, but he would not want to be the test case.
 
Sounds about as confused as PA's law on the matter -- where carry in primary and secondary schools is unlawful even with the license to carry firearms with certain exceptions.

The exceptions include that a gun may be possessed on school grounds for an "other lawful purpose." Most of us would conclude that, since licensed carrying of a gun for self-defense is a lawful purpose, we'd be in the clear. PA law enforcement agencies thus far have not chosen to see it that way, however.
 
The exceptions include that a gun may be possessed on school grounds for an "other lawful purpose." Most of us would conclude that, since licensed carrying of a gun for self-defense is a lawful purpose, we'd be in the clear. PA law enforcement agencies thus far have not chosen to see it that way, however.
Click to expand...

My church is starting a security detail during service...that should count....but highly doubt it.



My solution is just not to go to church, havn't been since I was 12
Click to expand...

HEATHEN! Just kidding. My mom calls me that and I do go...*sigh*
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Similar threads

I
  • Locked
Arkansas Pastors Divided Over Packing Heat in Church
Replies
24
Views
627
EHL
E
J
  • Locked
Do You Carry Concealed into your Church?
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Replies
209
Views
13K
ApacheCoTodd
ApacheCoTodd
S
  • Locked
Church has armed guards at daycare
2 3 4
Replies
75
Views
4K
TechBrute
T
K
  • Locked
Had a Dream Last Night
Replies
12
Views
627
scbair
S
H
  • Locked
Any Mormons here? How do explain yourselves?
2
Replies
44
Views
2K
Correia
C
Back
Top