Clergy: What & How do you carry

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Would keeping a dot-scoped Ruger Mini-30 behind the pulpit, within arms reach, be considered illegal? With some practice, a 25 yard headshot is quite manageable with this rig. BTW, I'd load it with U.S.-made hunting ammo, not commie surplus or commercial range ammo.
 

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The problem is stashing things in the pulpit is the security of it. If it is locked into anything, then it takes too long to access. If it isn't locked up, it's too accessible to anybody else between services.

I'd rather have the guys in the sound booth have a shotgun or AR, but the thought of a select fire AR with integrally suppressed barrel and an Aimpoint hiding in the pulpit does fill me with warm fuzzies.
 
I was a worship pastor. I generally carried a Glock of some sort and I carried it on my hip IWB.
 
This thread caused me to join...I am also a pastor and a few people know that I have a CPL, and I have permission in Michigan to carry in church, but I do not carry Sundays. During the week I carry a Beretta 21a, but since I can't carry into hospitals so I end up leaving it at home most days anyway.

Great discussion.
 
Preacherboy,

Welcome aboard. I understand hospitals, but why would you choose not to carry on Sundays at church?

At the same time, having a good car lock box would allow you to carry except when you need to enter a "victim disarmament zone".
 
after reading the 58 replies, all of which are great...I have to chime in as well. I like a few others are "tent makers" Pastor (Full Time / Part Time) work on the side...lol...Pastoring is a 24/7 job, don't care who you are...back on topic...CC at church???? WHY NOT? I Pastor a small rural church, I do not CC on Sunday mornings, just because I have not found the "right" one...I do however have a few LADIES that CC...As far as the pulpit goes, I don't have one...my members all sit in the back, and complain that they can't "hear" me, so I have moved to the stand type pulpit, and position myself in the "middle" of the sanctuary (30x60 building). So for me I have drastically dropped the distance from me to the entrances...one being on my immediate right (with a wheelchair accessible aisle) the other directly in front of me (back door)...within less than 15-20 feet...

I have had people ask me the same question that has been brought up on the first page...How do I justify CC'ing? Easily...I am an American Citizen, I have certain rights and privileges that as an American I must uphold! the fact that I am a Pastor is no different than if I were male (thus pastor) or female, tall or short, fat or skinny, red or yellow, black or white...sorry almost broke out into song...the fact that one is a Pastor is of little consequence. Yes Pastors are sometimes held to a higher degree, but should we be any different than any other individual...(moderators please disregard the following...) as a believer (and for those that are not religious go along with me) we are all to be like Christ, so the whole "He is a Pastor..." doesn't fly with me...(moderators you may begin reading again)

I just purchased a Kel-Tex P11 with belt clip to try out...we are a huggggyyy church...part of life, but my congregation knows that I CC...they actually invite their friends to come hear the "Pistol totin' Preacher"...they are fine with it, and know full and well that if a situation were to arise, that I would do my best to first de-escalate the situation, but if not possible, deal with it as quickly and efficiently as possible. Great Thread By the Way...sorry to rant! good luck and if you need a CC holster for the money, mine has been fabulous

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=366719

Mine is #24 I do on occasion wear it to church, if I know I am going to keep my coat on.....
 
Caleb,

I'm not a pastor but I completely agree. If you justify it as a Christian, there is no reason NOT too do the same just because you are a pastor.

~Dale
 
not sure how that would be defined by Law? My thoughts would be a public place, I know you don't have to have a license to carry on your own property, but I would feel the Law would sway toward you having a license to CC at church...for starters (typically) the Pastor does not own the property or building...and for the argument of being under your control, could one not justify any location as this? I would definetly say, have a license and practice a lot! especially close quarters...be safe!
 
unless you have completely "hidden the Word of God in your heart" that could be an issue. not saying it wouldn't be possible, but difficult...would be funny to open up your Bible and tell the congregation to turn to (insert gun brand) 1:1...or scare someone almost to death, when leading them to Salvation through Christ...Great thread by the way...agree with a lot of the views...keep up the thoughts.
 
I was a preacher for 12 1/2 years, no longer a minister but even now I stand up front leading services for songs / prayer / Lord's Supper / teaching classes.

I wear a suit jacket / sport coat when at church. When you wear a suit jacket, you can wear anything you want underneath so no problems. I usually carry my Kahr P40 or a 4 inch 1911 at the 4:00 position.

How the congregation would react should not be a consideration. We are not striving to please men but to please God. The moral thing to do is not decided by a show of hands or a checking of the political winds. Any man of God worth his salt is trying to be a leader, not a follower. Those who swayed because they love the praise of men more than the praise of God do not belong in the pulpit.
 
Quoheleth:

My wife & I are in a new Anglican parish up in the Tomball area & both of us carry - except on Sundays! We're meeting in a school for now. :banghead: At our other meeting locations, she and I carry as usual.

I applaud your attitude and stance. Our parish is working on rethinking our security stance right now. We're facing the challenges of our current meeting locations and acquiring a permanent location.

Before we started meeting in the school, most of our CHL holders did not carry during Sunday service for the usual mutlitude of reasons. As a group, most of them are beginning to reconsider their positions for when we can do so legally. Even our ex-cops did not carry. I've asked them to recosider their reasons. Our parish recently declared an unpopular stand on certain issues.

If I can do anything for you, please do not hesitate to contact me via our commercial web site or my blog. I'd be happy to share what little I know about church security with you.
 
I wouldn't advise shootng over the heads of the flock. While your higher vantage point would give a good angle, best to let the ushers/deacons/attendants handle sunday security.
Other times a Keltec P3AT in a pocket slipper should be perfect.
As to being a peace maker, read my sig line and www.gunowners.org/sk0801.html
 
Jasonguerard,

It also says, I believe later on in that same Ex passage, that if you see a crime about to be committed and don't do everything in your power to stop it, your are as guilty as the perpetrator.

~Dale
 
Quoheleth:

I think everyone is forgetting what actually in church shootings:

1. As the pastor, YOU are target #1. A lot of times the first round fired is at the podium and the people on stage.

2. Do not assume the threat is going to come bursting in from the back or even outside. Most stages have a lot of hiding spots and rear exits. In my experience, when trouble comes at church, that's where it comes from.

A good case in point was the brother of a good friend of mine. He was the pastor of a very small church (25-50 people at service.) He was killed by a guy who had been attending regularly for over 10 years. He was described as a quiet guy who lived with his mother and would not hurt a fly. He showed up at church one day and killed the pastor, his wife, one of his children, and wounded another.
 
I carry a SuperSoaker full of holy water.
Click to expand...
Well that's how much you know! That only works on Vampires and they don't come to Sunday morning services. Now if you are holding night services that might be an option for Vampires but what about the Werewolves? :rolleyes:
 
Agreed.

Quote:
Apologize if this has been said, church security starts OUTSIDE the church. All but one entrance locked during services. Unlocked entrance static security.

Absolutely. The security plan (framework suitable to customize, actually) I drew up is divided into three parts, the first and by far more extensive is preventing access by unwanted people without turning away folks who are there to worship. Controling access while services are in progress is another point I make.

I've had several people ask me in PM about the plan. It's available FREE to anyone, Pastor, Asst. Pastor, Deacon, Concerned Churchgoer. Doesn't matter to me what faith you are, either. Whether I agree with you or not, you have a right to worship in safety.
 
i have a question for the poster,cant you stash the 1911 up in the front with you?you are a paster correct?from the experience's of church i have you are standing in the front with a paulpt,sorry if spelled wrong,with your bible resting on the stand,couldent you hide your pistol up there with you?just a thought
 
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