guns in church

Best wishes. I have no problems with guns in church myself.

Mine has no security per-se (just one door attendant), but aprox half of the men (inc myself) quietly Carry Concealed.

their is no requirement for it nor any official frowning on it, we just keep it on the QT due to members from California being uncomfortable about it.

I live in Colorado Springs. I carry in church all the time. My pastor is aware that I carry but we don't talk about it.

I think not having armed security in a church is foolish

Certainly not a dumb idea to carry in church. Or even to have armed security. More power to you brother.

But generally I'd think churches would be low on the list of targets for crazed gunmen. They certainly aren't off the list. But I think schools, banks, office buildings and gov't buildings are more likely.

Personally, I think anything formal as far as armed security is just alot of hubbub about nothing. Congregation members carrying as part of their SOP is probably good enough. No reason to turn it into something it isn't, eh?


-T.

Respectfully, why should you give one hoot about what the community at large thinks about it. When it comes to protecting my family and loved ones, I really don't give a damn what others think.

WOW!!! that is awesome...I guess I would have to say I am behind your decision 100%...as a Pastor I know of two LADIES that carry concealed in my church...one was actually involved at some point in time on security detail work...me on the other hand have been dubbed..."THE GUN PACKIN' PREACHER"...I take the role of Pastor (Shepherd) as a responsibility to protect my flock/congregation...to whatever extent possible. My people are aware of it, and to my knowlege have no issues with it!

I have carried in every church I have been to in the last 2 years. Weddings, funerals, or just plain church services I always carry.

you dont need a gun in chirch God will protect you

you dont need a gun in chirch God will protect you

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God only helps those who help themselves.


-T.

ancient wisdom

"Doc:"

There are many posts here at THR concerning security at church, and other posts about the incidents of violence that have recently occurred by outside felons invading church services, etc.

Most here believe in The Right to Keep and Bear Arms, regardless of where you and especially your family might be.

There is a current post here somewhere concerning whether a short barrelled handgun; "snubbie" might be less efficient in such a church or audience type of defense versus a longer barrelled gun.

One of the search words also applies to the Jewish readers and their own defense within the synagoges. (SP?)

As far as the Holy Scriptures, I like Judges 5:8 which states:"They chose new gods; then was war in the gates: was there a shield or spear seen among fourty thousand in Israel?" ...2008 USA; I have seen our nation choosing "new gods" through my generation, and I wonder what will be the outcome.
A subsequent passage that is connected to the first: I Samuel 13:19, "Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make them swords or spears."

Gun confiscation is nothing new.

As to the defense of innocents: Proverbs 31:8.."Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction."

Lastly, advise; not from me, as to argument with those who advocate
confiscation: Proverbs 27:22.."Though thou shouldest bray a fool
in a mortar, among wheat with a pestle, yet will not his foolishness depart from him."

I have found nothing the Bible to suggest that I don't have the right to defend myself.

I have total faith in God. Its MAN I don't have faith in. God gave me a steady hand and a keen eye for a reason. I will protect my mortal life with my weapon, and my SOUL with the word of Jesus Christ. I will fear no evil.

But where the heck do you live that you feel the need for armed security???? I carry my weapon in Church but I can think of no place that I feel safer.

After what happened in Colorado Springs, there's no excuse for not allowing members of your congregation to be armed.

I agree with Jon in WV...I do feel safe in my church, but like him (I am guessing) I feel it is my right and privilege to carry wherever...I also agree that it is man that I do not have faith in...and mankind unfortunately has a tendency to go CrAzY some times!

A handful of the pastors and elders at our church know I carry, and they made me a deacon anyway, so I guess they're okay with the idea.

I am belong to an Independent Baptist Church and last year the Pastor decided that some of us needed to get a CWP and carry in church as silent security. Jesus in fact told his deciples to buy swords when it was nearing his crucifixion.

We beleive in protecting our members and so several of us are armed at all times. Of course we do not advertise it.

I'm from a "charismatic style" church - also known as a Bible based church - non denominational (we're all from various religious backgrounds) I was a Methodist and my wife was a Catholic. We are "literalists" as you describe - the Bible is where we find our answers - not in a "doctrine". 1 Corinthians (the teaching on love) says something like "Love always protects" and as such we believe in protecting ourselves and our loved ones. Although we don't have an "official" security force - I've never felt like anyone would not want concealed carry there and I have no problem carrying in church. Might as well be able to defend myself and loved ones there as I can anywhere else. Sometimes bad things happen in church - bad people come and in and do bad things - so people need to be able to defend themselves. I've always wondered why God allows that but I suppose it's not for me to know....

I carry in church.
I don't ask, they don't either notice or don't say anything.

If they ask me to leave I will, but I'm not coming back ever.

Are their others on the high road who have been there, done that?

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The subject comes up regularly on THR.

Churches can be soft targets, and attractive to the deranged.

The issue of Christian self defense is hardly "settled" at least according to most theologeons.

Some would say the following scripture means you should not defend yourself

Matthew 5:39
But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also.

Luke 6:29
If someone slaps you on one cheek, offer the other cheek also. If someone demands your coat, offer your shirt also.

Matthew 26:51-53
51 But one of the men with Jesus pulled out his sword and struck the high priest’s slave, slashing off his ear. 52 “Put away your sword,” Jesus told him. “Those who use the sword will die by the sword. 53 Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father for thousands[a] of angels to protect us, and he would send them instantly?

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Other's would cite this that you should

Luke 22:36
“But now,” he said, “take your money and a traveler’s bag. And if you don’t have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one!

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There is also the view point that if you being saved kill someone who is not, it denies them that opportunity in the future.

There is however also the view that it's not injustice to deny someone future opportunity to find salvation because death isn't un-just and life is grace.

I think it's important to remember that in the garden when they came to arrest Jesus those with him asked if they should defend him and he said no. However some also point out that scripture includes Jesus citing that he had to face what awaited him not that it wasn't right.


As for arming church security guards why not just promote concealed carry at church and then it's a non issue, the church isn't promoting defensive arms and alienating people and is spared the cost of the arms and training and the legal repercussions of the possible misuses of those arms.

However I would say the stupidest thing you could do would be to declare your church "a gun free zone"

For those who don't know another church was recently shot up in Colorado Springs. As I said earlier I do carry in church but I also respect the wishes of my Pastor. It is my belief that God placed him in a position of authority over me, if he asked me tomorrow not to carry in church I'd do it. I also feel that my church is a family I believe that God put me in that church for a reason & I wouldn't leave it over wether or not I can carry a gun there.

I think you're "preaching to the choir" on this one. Suspect most on here would approve of church carry.

However, here in VA the law states you have to have 'good and sufficient reason' to carry in church. Might want to check your state laws on that.

I see that you are in NC. I have no idea what the laws in your state are, but here in VA, it is illeagal to carry in a church while religious services are being held. Even with a permit. Kinda dumb IMO, but that is the law.

As a "gun toting Christian", I saay if it's legal, go for it.

Even the Puritans carried in church.

And the Swiss Guard at the Vatican? If something goes down, they'll drop those pikes in a heartbeat and go for something far more modern that they carry on their persons.

-Sans Authoritas