How would you deal with this "uncovered" undercover gun?

I've seen several not-so-concealed carrys lately. Some are very quick to show off their permits to anyone who mentions they've noticed. I don't know why they don't just open carry, its legal in my state.

Just as with many other social indiscretions these days, I've decided just to stay on my toes and yet not say anything.

There are too many jerks in the world. Its becoming more like the wild west than the wild west ever was. Which is why I'm discreetly carrying and training a lot more often these days.

THE DARK KNIGHT said:

Sorry, I'm a yankee. Is that humor or churches down in SC really have that tradition?

I know around here the masonic lodges have a man with a sword at the door as part of tradition.

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'Bring your gun to church' laws were also enacted in Colonial-era Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, South Carolina and Georgia.

The tyler is stationed outside the door of the Lodge to keep off the uninitiated and eavesdroppers. It's generally a fairly wimpy blade, but how many times do you have to poke somebody before they get the message?

At this point I don't plan to do anything.

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Do you know at what point you will do something? Will you approach him if you see the gun again or someone else tells you that they did?

It's probably best to have the interaction thought through before hand and do so at a time and place of your choosing. It's probably worst to simply allow things to go on until you're pushed into a reaction at an awkward moment (for him and you).

If you're part of the leadership, then this is a leadership matter. Leadership conferrs certain responsibilities and solving problems before they happen is the most appropriate kind of shepherding.

-Sam

So you're just going to let it be for now?

It seems like the OP was expecting a lot more "mind your own business" responses and had already made his mind up.

I can see no good reason for letting things be if they are obviously making other parishioners uncomfortable, because as Sam said, it's more than likely going to lead to some sort of unpleasant situation in the future.

Be direct and let him know that he isn't being successful in concealing his carry gun.

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As already said by hso and others here, be direct and tell him privately that his concealment method isn't working. Also mention that it's a distraction from the purpose of the church service. He'll understand and likely will be a little red faced as well. Don't discourage him from carrying but encourage him (and maybe even help him) to work on a better method of concealment.

If anybody here can tell me how to properly quote a post pleae fill me in....

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Just sent you a PM.

-Sam

Thats interesting. Where I live (suburbs of Philadelphia, PA), there is an older (60's maybe) Asian gentleman who I see frequently in our Church. The interesting thing about him is that he carries a pistol rug with him - you know, the pistol case that unzips almost all the way around and opens up.

Its not too big, but I bet you could cram a 1911 in there - I'm assuming its something smaller. Hell, it may even just be used as a 'man-purse' for all I know. I'm dying to ask him, but dont want to embarass him.

I'm curious as to how your situation works out...

I carry off of my person to church. I made a Bible cover look-a-like out of a day planner with some foam rubber for cushioning. I carry it and my wife carries our Bible and no one is the wiser. My M1911A1 is very happy being carried in that manner a couple of times a week and then slips into its normal position in my IWB once in the parking lot.

You don't think it's necessary? If a crazy person came in your church to kill people and was stopped by this guy, would you still think it unnecessary? We can rest assured your fellow churchgoer isn't going to hurt anyone, so I'd say what is unnecessary is bothering him.

Hokkmike said:

Thanks Sam!

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You can also use {quote=UserName}insert text{/quote} to make it look like the post I just made of your quote ... obviously you'd replace the {s with [s

Churches get robbed, crazy people show up and shoot people...

Carry in church, to each their own I guess...

As former career military, it was common to see armed personnel show up a church services. Point here is your perception of what is justifiable. Look like a member of Hell's Angles and you raise a lot of eyebrows. Look well groomed and professional and few will question you. But if you carry, carry 24/7, not just when you think you may run into a bad guy. In the past 6 months on 2 different occasions owners came very close to my shooting their man eating dogs.

Talk to the man in private and that should take care of it.

The deffinition of concealed is: 1. hide person or thing: to put or keep something or somebody out of sight or prevent the person or thing from being found
2. hide fact or feeling: to keep something secret or prevent it from being known .

Here in Florida this guy is in violation of the CCW law and should be called to task.
Ref Florida Statute: 790.001 Definitions.--As used in this chapter, except where the context otherwise requires:

(2) "Concealed firearm" means any firearm, as defined in subsection

(6), which is carried on or about a person in such a manner as to conceal the firearm from the ordinary sight of another person.

The deffinition of concealed is: 1. hide person or thing: to put or keep something or somebody out of sight or prevent the person or thing from being found
2. hide fact or feeling: to keep something secret or prevent it from being known .

Here in Florida this guy is in violation of the CCW law and should be called to task.

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BUT, the guy is in PA. His License To Carry Firearms does not require that he conceal his weapon. He could carry it openly if he so chose (actually, he could do that without a permit). Or concealed, or anywhere in between.

So, your, or anyone else's, definition of "concealed" doesn't matter in the slightest.

The problem could be that, if someone notices his gun, and if he is asked by the church to remove his weapon, he must comply or he would be in violation of trespassing laws.

We're trying to advise the O.P. how to diffuse this situation before it escalates into a situation where the church decides it has to write and enforce an official policy on guns. A policy that might cause the parishioners to have to choose between going defenseless or violating church policy.

(Even in the case of an "no guns" policy being enacted by the church, those who continued to carry concealed weapons to church would still be ok in the eyes of our law.)

-Sam

Pretty rough churches or what?

Why would one need to carry in church...surely you don't think you might get ambushed on the walk from the church to the vehicle....

Leave it in the car....then strap up after wards, if it's going to cause problems.

It really does not matter where one is at while packing, there will always be someone who takes offense to you carrying a gun.

Pretty rough churches or what?

Why would one need to carry in church...surely you don't think you might get ambushed on the walk from the church to the vehicle....

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It's too bad you can't read sarcasm very easily over the web -- I'm 90% sure that was said "tongue-in-cheek."

But, in case it wasn't, have you somehow missed the number of very high-profile church shootings, armed robberies, and murders that have made the news in the last couple of years?

There's no good reason to disarm for church, any more than you would at the bank, a restaurant, bar, the mall, or any other place -- unless draconian laws in your area require you to be a victim.

-Sam

Five Dead, 5 wounded in church shooting

How quickly we forget. I would carry concealed at church if I had the ability.