CCW in Places of Worship or Faith Based

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CC in Places of Worship, etc.....

I live in "The Volunteer State" of Tennessee, and have a HG Carry Permit.
I talked with the chairman of our security, and just beginning to get feedback.
Will check with state and local later.
 
In Virginia I operate under the "self defense is 'good and sufficient reason' therefore satisfying state law" state of mind and additionally my church is not posted.

However, I will add that I do not know very many people there as we are new the area, and as we recently started attending a Bible study class before the service and I have seen several (men and women) hug each other by way of greeting I have actually stopped carrying for the time being as I am not at a stage of CC in my life where I would feel comfortable having a possibly public conversation with an inquiring individual about it.
 
I just googled and found that a local church (not mine, but same denomination) actually hosted a free concealed carry class open to the first 50 sign-ups just 4 weeks ago. Pretty encouraging stuff.

The church (denomination) I left in my home state has a specific doctrine that is opposed to private citizen handgun ownership. This was a big reason I have been attending a Southern Baptist church since I moved to VA, although not the only reason.
 
I don't "carry a gun to church" per se. I carry a gun every time I leave my home as a rule and church is just one of the places I happen to go.

The pastoral staff knows I'm carrying because I was a security volunteer for several years and I was required to qualify with my handgun biannually but it's not something I make an issue of I just do it.
 
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My wife's pastor carries a CZ-75 where he needs to, and I would assume the sanctuary to be one of them. The sanctuary is a refuge for the spirit, but the flesh sometimes needs to be protected too. I would not hesitate to carry into the house of He who said, "sell your cloak and buy a sword." I would hesitate LONG before I did evil with that weapon in that House!
PS, it's legal in AZ, with or without permit, as long as no signs are posted.
 
In Ohio, it is up to church leadership. That's either the pastor or governing committee, depending on the church charter or constitution.
 
Ohio's law is kind of screwy on this one.

In general, you can carry in places unless they are posted that you can't, except for "prohibited places" such as schools, courthouse, etc. which aren't required to be posted.

Churches are considered "prohibited places" unless they are posted, or have an official written policy that says you CAN carry.

I wondered if any other states were like that. It seems like churches are usually treated like any other private entity open to the public by most other states.
 
Here (Kansas) a church can post a sign prohibiting carry (although the only penalty for passing such a sign is they can ask you to leave), or not.

A man I know has organized a group of church members, in coordination with the pastor, to be armed and in essence provide security for services at their church.
 
If you do a search, there have been several threads discussing carrying in Church. Some good information and points of view. I attend on Sundays and am always armed along with 1 or 2 other Church members (that I know of). Some people know, some don't. In my State is perfectly legal.
 
It's a sad state of affairs when a church or other place of worship is no longer considered Holy Ground and people some people have no respect for the right to worship in peace and safety.
 
I think the sangtity of the church only exists in the movies, real evil can cross the church threshold at will and those inside need to be prepared.
 
Given the visibility, location and access to my family's church, there in NO WAY than I am not carrying while attending services.

If you belong to a "huggy" church, I suggest pocket carry.
 
As many have said, check your local & state laws, but check thoroughly.

Even if there's no prohibition on church carry, there may be a prohibition on "school" carry. If your church runs a school, a kindergarten, a nursery school, or even a Sunday school, some DA may decide the school prohibition applies.

It might be hard to get a determination if there's never been a case, and you don't want to be the test case.
 
After open carry passed in Texas, our parish posted in their weekly bulletin that concealed carry and open carry wouldn't be allowed except for on duty LE.

What they neglected, and I suspect intentionally, was to post the required "no open carry, no conceal carry" statutes on all their entry ways. Thus those who are nervous about guns will feel like they're safe. Those who know can still carry.
 
It is legal in my state, and there was a nationally-covered incident of a mass shooting in a house of worship in our state. So, yes, I carry in church. At least one other member does also. As for the 'huggy' folks, I hug low to block their arms from finding the gun. I tried pocket carry there once, but even though it was my Bodyguard 38, it still went 'clunk!' when I sat down. Oddly, no one noticed.
I also carried this weekend when a group from our church went to see 'Risen'; religious film, theater, target. Fortunately, no incidents-just a good movie. :)
 
Worldwide, countless people are murdered for their religious beliefs. It is my great fear that this insanity will soon visit our great country. I will carry in all places where legal.
 
Unless there is a state law or an article of your faith that specifically addresses handguns in a sanctuary, carry concealed and don't bother discussing it.

On a side note, I get really angry when states ban carry in houses of worship. I think it violates the separation of church and state.

Oh, but to hear a politician talk about sanctity when they wish to ban guns in church...
 
I tried pocket carry there once, but even though it was my Bodyguard 38, it still went 'clunk!' when I sat down. Oddly, no one noticed.

What did it go 'clunk' on just from sitting down? I pocket carry and aside from when I first started carrying it and taking too tight of turns and catching it on corners of tables, etc. it never goes 'clunk'. Just curious.
 
I CC daily and am also on church security team. A number of churches
in the metro area have teams in place.Not seen....no one freaks out.
Dan
 
Ryanxia-The pew. I pocket carry in the back pocket. Don't like firearms pointing at rather important parts of my body. With the style of pants I wear, that muzzle is a little too close to my 'gun' , as the Army drilled in my head was the nomenclature for said appendage. Needless to say, I don't AIWB, either.

tactikel- It has happened here. In my state (WI), as well as others(CO, SC, and more.)
 
Ryanxia-The pew. I pocket carry in the back pocket. Don't like firearms pointing at rather important parts of my body. With the style of pants I wear, that muzzle is a little too close to my 'gun' , as the Army drilled in my head was the nomenclature for said appendage. .

If the gun is in your back pocket pointing down, when you sit down isn't it pointed at the back of your knee?

I hear you on the style of pants making a difference. The way mine sits in my front pant pockets its pointed down in such a way if fired it would skim along my leg. Of course, that's why I carry it cocked and locked with a quality pocket holster that covers the trigger. And don't keep anything in that pocket but the gun. I carried it this way unchambered for the first few weeks to get used to it, then when I was comfortable, started leaving it chambered. Done it this way for years and doesn't phase me a bit. But to each their own.
 
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